BRIMFIELD, Mass — When Mary Feuer went east three years ago to take care of her mom, she ended up packing everything from her California antique store into a bus and taking it with her. 

Now, she drives around to various antique fairs, sharing her nomadic lifestyle with her dog, Captain. Her most recent location? The famous Brimfield Antique Flea Market.

“This time, I said my goal is to go home with an empty bus, so I made all of my prices super low,” Feuer said. “I want to start over with things that are more local.”

Feuer and many other vendors are back in Brimfield for the first time in almost two years since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Festivities include vendor stalls, live music, beer and wine, and outdoor dining. 

The town of Brimfield has been putting on the country’s oldest outdoor antique show since 1959. For three weekends a year, in May, July and September, shoppers come from all over the world to shop and look for deals.

One field, the Brimfield Auction Acres, was reopened during the May show earlier this year, following the lift of some COVID-19 restrictions. Field owner Rusty Corriveau told MassLive in May that phones were going off the hook, with people excited to buy and sell antiques.

That sentiment continued to be true in July, even though this month’s show has historically had fewer vendors than others.

“It’s nice to be back,” said Doug Souders, who was selling magazines and comic books. “For a summer show, which is usually the smallest of the three, it’s more like a fall or spring show.”

Souders has been collecting for over 30 years. He has offered his wares at the Brimfield Flea Market for the majority of that time, making room within his collection so that he can add even more.

For Feuer, she offers a wide variety of antiques including furniture, statues and more. She pointed to a set of small chairs.

“They’re 220 years old,” she explained. “The problem with them is that humans were so small then that they’re practically child chairs now. Those are the kind of things I like.”

Photo by Monica Sager.

Other vendors had handmade rugs, wooden carved dressers, jewelry and other momentos.

“We’ve been vending here in Brimfield since 2008,” said Kent Donovan, who was selling a variety of antiques including a tea set and clocks. “It’s pretty much our livelihood to do all three shows. The pause between the fall show in 2019, going through COVID, and having a summer show now, it’s been great. I’m so happy with it.

Donovan said that he’s been in the same spot at Brimfield each year, with the vendors fostering a community around them. He said he missed seeing the people and meeting those who come to his tent.

“It’s been the best show that I’ve been at so far,” Donovan said. “It’s been very important to us… We’re all kind of like a family.”

A lot of the vendors made the items themselves, including Georgene Novak Designs, who was selling jewelry made from scrap metal, as well as dyed scarves, cardigans and maxi dresses.

An online show is also active at brimfieldlive.com, rubylane.com and on the Brimfield Antique Shows Facebook page. The Brimfield Flea Market will be back on September 7.