For the first time in the nearly 50-year history of Madison Historical Society’s (MHS) antiques fairs on the Green, the annual summertime event is expanding to include more activities, family-friendly fun, and much more than the traditional antique offerings.

The Summer Festival of Arts and Antiques on Saturday, Aug. 27 is expected to be just that: a festival. MHS Executive Director Jennifer Simpson says the event will have something for everyone.

Simpson said that the change has been in the works for some time, even pre-pandemic, as antique dealers have closed their businesses or aged-out. The declining ability to attract quality vendors led the organizers to reconsider this year’s activities and offerings.

“I’m not sure if people’s attitudes towards antiques have changed, if there’s just less interest in brown furniture or an on-line market factor, but things have changed and we thought we really had to shake things up a little bit,” Simpson said. “When I first started with the Historical Society about nine years ago we had about 80 vendors and last year we had about 40. I just think that there are not as many vendors themselves left. I think many have retired. If we were able to bring 80 vendors to the green we could continue in that direction, but there simply just don’t seem to be as many left. I used to work in the antiquing world, and even 15 years ago you could begin to see the trends.”

According to Simpson, this end-of-summer celebration of art, antiques, and family fun will feature vendors of fine antiques and collectibles from across the region, selling ceramics, furniture, glass, jewelry, kitchenware, linens, memorabilia, pottery, toys, vintage accessories, and more. However, Simpson said that the changing tastes have provided an opportunity to expand and develop the Festival.

“This was a way for us to have a full event on the Green,” Simpson said. “There is going to be so much more for folks. There will be something for everyone this year. For us, all of the local non-profits, we haven’t had the opportunity to host a big fundraiser in quite a while, so we are hoping that this will be a major event.”

Additionally, an art exhibition and sale will be mounted by members of the Madison Art Society. This showcase of original works by local artists will feature a variety of media, including oils, watercolors, acrylics, pastels, drawings, and sculpture.

Plein-air painting demonstrations will also be offered by select artists during the event, Simpson said.

Some of this year’s other unique offering include live demonstrations of such traditional crafts as bobbin lace weaving and spinning, doll making, bookbinding, pottery molding, and pottery decoration will also be featured, that were in collaboration with the Deacon John Grave Foundation. Crafters will sell their wares and offer instruction on these pre-industrial trades.

“We’ll also have a pillory this year that people love. Folks really love to participate in that, and get their pictures taken, so there will still be an historical element with all of these fun activities,” said Simpson.

There will also be a classic car show of antique vehicles that Simpson said would be a highlight of the day. Among other vehicles, visitors will be able to see a Stanley Steamer dating from the early 1900s, a Triumph TR6 in mint condition, and a beautifully restored 1940 Ford pickup truck.

Family-friendly activities designed to engage a younger audience will include colonial games, a dunk tank, life-size Jenga and Connect Four games, face painting, henna tattoos, silly putty making, and a birds of prey meet and greet, according to Simpson. Live musical performances and a delicious menu of fair foods and sweet treats round out the offerings this year..

There will also be raffle offered throughout the day. Raffle items include a ride along the shoreline in a Stanley Steamer, an original watercolor portrait of your home by local artist Bill Dowling, gift certificates to Dine-Around Madison, a beauty and spa package, and assorted gift baskets. Raffle tickets are $10 each or three for $25.

‘We are really trying to have some great high-ticket items for the raffle,” said Simpson.

The event is also looking for volunteers of all types, but especially students seeking to fulfill community service hours. Participants for the dunk tank, face painting, and a number of different activities are needed.

The MHS was incorporated almost a hundred years ago and continues in its mission to raise the awareness of Madison residents about their Town’s past, and to help better inform the future.

“The tag line that the society has used for a long time is ‘preserving the past, and protecting the future’, so the Historical Society exists to protect and maintain those artifacts and buildings that are part of Madison’s cultural past. If we don’t do it, I’m not sure who will. Once these things are gone, they are gone forever, so we are all about protecting the past for future generations,” Simpson said.

Entrance fee is $6, $3 for teens, and kids under 12 enter for free. For more information about volunteering or setting up a vendor, artisan, or craft booth, call MHS at 203-245-4567, email director@madisonhistory.org, or visit madisonhistory.org.