Antique Appraisal Fair & Show, set for Saturday
The Cape Coral Italian American Club will host its first ever Antique Appraisal Fair and Show.
The event, scheduled from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, will feature at least a dozen vendors and offer visitors a chance to have things appraised by a panel of industry experts at a cost of $5 per item.
“We have four appraisers,” Lois Murray, event organizer and the owner of The Red Barn, said Wednesday. “They are all people that work in the field of antiques.”
The panel will appraise a range of things, including coins, military metals, antique, vintage and fine jewelry, gold and silver items, furniture, toys, paintings, home dcor, ceramics, china dishes and more.
Those who want heavier items appraised, like furniture, are welcome to bring in photographs.
“We would let them bring in pictures or something like that,” she said.
Visitors can register their items for appraisal at the door.
As of Wednesday, 13 vendors had signed up to take part in the event.
“The vendors will be bringing antiques, collectables and home dcor,” Murray said.
Some are local snowbirds from as far away as Pennsylvania and Chicago.
“There are people from all over Florida,” she said.
Murray hopes to have at least 20 vendors signed up by Saturday.
“But, it’s the first time, so we’ll see,” she said.
Food and drinks will be available for purchase at the event.
“It will be a fun atmosphere – a fun fair atmosphere,” Murray said.
An antiques show used to be held at the Cape Coral Yacht Club, but not for the past few years. Members of the Italian American Club came up with the idea to try and bring an event back.
“This is our first year doing it,” she said. “If it’s successful, we’ll do it again.”
Murray noted that Saturday’s turnout will be a surprise.
“You know, I don’t know what to expect this first time,” she said.
At past events, Murray saw some amazing items resurface.
“I’ve seen them bring in furniture pieces that you would not believe,” she said. “Toys that you would not believe you would still see in that condition.”
“It’s a time when you’re really going to see unusual things,” Murray said.
Organizers also hope the event brings some attention to the club.
“Get people into the Italian American Club to see the facility, see what it offers for receptions and shows and meetings,” she said.
Murray encouraged people to come out Saturday.
“It’s a community event,” she said. “Come support this event, so that we can do it again.”
Spaces are still available for vendors; the vendor fee is $20.
To sign up as a vendor, call (239) 542-6515.
The Cape Coral Italian American Club is at 4725 Vincennes Blvd.
For more information, visit online at: capecoralitalianamericanclub.com/.