The Madison Historical Society (MHS) is prepping for its 43rd annual Antiques Fair on Saturday, Aug. 23 on the Madison Green, one of the biggest events of its kind on the shoreline.

The society's largest annual fundraiser was established in 1972 with the goal of being the best antiques show in an outdoor venue. The fair is once again under MHS management, produced by MHS Events Coordinator Beth Wardwell with the support of MHS Trustee Lyle Cubberly and society member volunteers.

Wardwell said the fair went through a period "a few years ago" when management was turned over to an outside agency.

"That didn't work out real well," said Wardwell, diplomatically.

"Now the fair is run totally locally, again," she added. "And it's the biggest and oldest fair on the Green. Dealers tell us that it's the one fair they most look forward to coming back to, each and every year."

Along with an array of new exhibitors, many the longtime exhibitors will be back this year. With as many as 94 antiques exhibitors from the Northeast, New York State, the mid-Atlantic states, and Florida, this unique fair typically offers 18th- and 19th-century American and European furniture, silver, porcelains, rugs, wicker, prints, clocks, architectural design furnishings, and country collectibles; and 16th- to 19th-century maps of local, state, and international interest. And that's just a sampling.

As is traditional, the fair features coffee and sidewalk café seating and food from popular vending trucks in close proximity to the Green.

Just steps from the fair is the MHS's Lee's Academy, home to both the MHS administrative offices and its exhibition hall, which will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This year visitors to the museum will enjoy The Business of Leisure: Madison Welcomes Its Summer Colony. This exhibition reveals the ways that the community responded to the needs and desires of the vacationers and cottagers who came to the shoreline for rest and recreation. The exhibition is free; donations are welcomed.

The Madison Historical Society 43rd annual Antiques Fair runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 23, rain or shine, on the Madison Town Green. Admission is $7 ($6 with discount coupon or newspaper ad); children 12 and younger are free. Pets on leashes are welcome; any damages to exhibitor displays/wares are the responsibility of the pet owner. Parking is available around the Green. For more information, call MHS at 203-245-4567 or contact Beth Wardwell at 203-458-3038 or bethrw@comcast.net.