The real deal: Find authentic antiques at Fox Valley show

Whether you're a little bit nostalgic or a serious antique lover seeking that one item to complete your collection, the 60th Spring Fox Valley Antiques Show is the place to find it all.

Fifty-five vendors from all over the U.S. will have booths featuring furniture, clothing, artwork, jewelry and more in the Prairie Events Center, a well-lit building at the Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 S. Randall Road in St. Charles. The sale runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 11, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 12.

“These are all seasoned dealers that have been in the business for years,” said Donna Finegan, show chairwoman and exhibitor of the event.

Finegan said the vendors are extremely passionate about what they do and for many of them, antiques are a way of life.

“I have a woman vendor who lives in a cabin filled with Pilgrim century furniture,” Finegan said. “Another vendor has wonderful Americana and folk art, and she has a collection in her home.”

The show is special because of the knowledge vendors have about their items.

“If you buy an antique from them, it is an antique, and they stand behind their merchandise,” Finegan said. “They'll spend the time to answer your questions or give you a rundown on how it's constructed, perhaps if it's furniture, and why it's significant.”

The event is presented by the Chicago Suburban Antique Dealers Association which meets once a month in Geneva to plan shows. This show attracts vendors from Texas, New York, Massachusetts and Alabama, to name a few states.

Some of the booths scheduled for the show are Laura Mason Antiques from Lombard, who will be selling jewelry; Missouri Plain Folk, which will feature folk art, weather vanes and sculptures; and J and R Ferris Antiques from New York, a company that will bring military items. Finegan, who will be in Booth 54 representing her company, Donna Finegan Antiques based in Palatine, which has 18th century women's clothing and textiles.

“I'm kind of unique,” Finegan said. “There's not a lot of clothing that's out there.”

Brass candlesticks, old advertising signs and depression-era glass will be among vendors' offerings, and some items, as you can imagine, have a story behind them.

“I feel antique shows are important because it's a bridge to the past,” Finegan said.

In Booth 3, Virginia Larsen, who owns the store Sign of the Whale in Glen Ellyn, will be selling country furniture. Items like a bucket bench, a hanging corner cupboard and a chair table painted in white will be available. She has pieces starting at under $100. Her most expensive item is an 86-inch-by-88-inch Amish quilt, circa 1930s.

“It has a diamond in a square pattern, wonderful colors, and it's in mint condition,” said Larsen, who is co-chair of the event and an exhibitor for about 25 years.

Tips for purchasing quality antique furniture, Larsen added, include looking for things like dovetails, mortises, batten, and raised panels. “The construction is the clue when you're looking at furniture to know if it's early or not,” Larsen said.

Jeanette McBeth, owner of Platinum Estate Sales of Distinction based in Cary, is planning to attend the show for the third time. She said she visits the booths to learn about what is hot and what is not.

“This will be beneficial to take my staff to as a learning tool,” McBeth said.

This year, a special booth will be offered for shoppers on a budget.

“We are doing Booth 60 to celebrate the 60th anniversary,” Finegan said. “Everything in the booth will be an authentic antique but it's under $200.”

Items are for the new or seasoned collector and are donated by the show exhibitors.

“We're trying to generate interest in the younger generation,” Finegan said. “It's intimidating for young people because you think perhaps that there's nothing there that you can afford.” To that end, anyone age 25 or younger will be admitted free, with student I.D.

If you plan to attend, don't worry about lunch or a shortage of cash. Antique enthusiasts can take advantage of lunch and goodies from vendors, as well as an ATM on the premises. Parking is free. For details, visit csada.com.

Chicago Suburban Antique Dealers Association's 60th Spring Fox Valley Antiques Show

<b>Why:</b> Genuine antiques, guaranteed to be as represented; displayed in room settings by 55 dealers from 14 states with an array of Americana, 18th and 19th and early 20th century furniture, textiles, jewelry, stoneware, folk art and decorative arts.

<b>When:</b> 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 11, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 12

<b>Where:</b> Kane County Fairgrounds, Prairie Events Center, 525 S. Randall Road, St. Charles

<b>Admission:</b> $10 for adults; free for people age 25 and younger or with student ID.

<b>Parking:</b> Free

<b>Details:</b> <a href="http://www.csada.com">www.csada.com</a>