Everything old is new again this weekend in Fort Macleod.
The Chamber of Commerce will host its annual antique and guns sale and show on Saturday, June 15 and Sunday, June 16 at the Fort Macleod and District Sports Centre.
“I’ve had quite a few phone calls, so there is lots of interest,” Chamber executive director Ashley Tebbutt said. “We’re going to have a full house.”
The event runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $5.
The move to a Saturday-Sunday event, from Friday-Saturday format is in response to a survey of vendors at last year’s sale and show.
Thirty vendors have booked tables for the event, including 11 selling antiques and 19 selling guns and related merchandise.
Tebbutt noted there will be 10 fewer vendors than last year, but the ones who are attending have rented more tables.
“Each vendor has taken more than previous years,” Tebbutt aid. “And we have quite a few new vendors.”
New vendors are coming from northern and central Saskatchewan and British Columbia, joining returning vendors from locations such as Claresholm, Stavely, Medicine Hat and Lethbridge.
Included in this year’s vendors are a knife-maker and a husband-and-wife team who make leather goods, such as sheaths for knives and scabbards for guns.
The antique vendors will bring a wide variety of goods, including old guns and weapons, and furniture.
Some of the vendors attending the sale and show are:
- Don and Lynn Collectibles of Medicine Hat.
- Bags Etc. of Vulcan.
- Battleford Bait and Tackle of Battleford, Sask.
- John Syratt’s Treasures of Claresholm.
- Practical Performance Products from Fort Macleod.
- Alberta Hardware from Fort Macleod.
- Bob’s Sales of Coaldale.
- Anthill Books from Langley, B.C.
- Keleman and Baldwin Guys from Calgary.
- Our Collectibles 15 from MacDowall, Sask.
- Farmboy Leather from Calgary.
- Fisher Peak Antiques and Collectibles from Cranbrook.
- Bit 4 Ltd. from Trochu.
Tebbutt stressed that safety is a priority, with security on site throughout the event.
People who want to buy guns are required to have a valid possession and acquisition licence.
Local businesses are sponsoring meals for vendors and the Chamber is appreciative of that support.
Tebbutt said interest in antiques remains strong.
“Fort Macleod, in particular for antiques, has really stepped up their game,” said Tebbutt, who fields questions at the Chamber office. “There is a market for it.”
The army cadets are assisting with set-up, take-down, and to deliver lunches to the vendors.
The Fort Macleod Lions Club is preparing the breakfast and lunch and the Little Leos from Diamond Valley will help serve.
The Foothills Centre will provide volunteers to help with set-up and take-down.
Volunteers are needed to man the ticket booth from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or 2-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
For information contact Ashley Tebbutt at 403-431-3643 or fmchamber1888@gmail.com.
