Flamboro Antique Shows - Show History

A Little Flamboro History

As with many new trends and styles, Canada follows America, which takes its lead from California and Europe. Antiquing is no exception. In the 1950's and 1960's antique markets sprung up in several European countries providing dealers and the public a place for buying and selling. Bill Hogan, one of Flamboro's founders, saw these giant antique markets in 1969, while travelling in California. The eastern version was finally popularized in Brimfield, Massachusetts in the late 1970's. Canada's Flamboro Antique Shows was born in the fall of 1981.

The multiple editors of the "The Upper Canadian" newspaper, and prominent Ontario dealers, wanted to start a "Brimfield" in Ontario. Plans for the first show were grandiose. Some of those involved hoped for a thousand dealers! In the end, some 60-80 dealers gathered for the first show, at the "Flamboro Downs Raceway" in Flamborough Township. After the show, several of the partners, less than pleased with the results, chose this opportunity to drop out.

Problems with the raceway in 1982 forced the show to Courtcliffe Park in Carlisle, Ontario. It's name remained unchanged as Flamboro Antique Shows. With similar results as the first year, it looked like the idea would fail and more partners dropped out. Bill Hogan, already promoting "The Niagara Bottle Show", joined the remaining two partners in 1983. With his background in advertising, Bill focused on promotion. The fall show in 1983 saw 103 dealers, and was well attended. Public reaction was excellent. Many dealers, recognizing that the show was being well promoted, signed on. 1984 saw nearly 200 dealers, with upwards of 300 in 1985, and even more in 1986. The whole time attendance boomed and the dealers did well.

With this increased size came changes. The shows "country" roots diminished with the change in decorating trends. Refinished furniture from the "catalogue era", 1890 to 1930, appeared and sold well. Word of the show's success brought increased variety with the addition of jewelry and nostalgia dealers. With the 1986 show completed, tensions between the partners caused the departure of the last two from the original group. Bill Hogan continued as sole owner. In 2007, Bill Hogan took Jon Medley as a new partner. Jon brings twenty years experience in the antique and auction business, a love for antiques, and a fresh enthusiasm to the success of the Flamboro Antique Shows.

Although none of the current shows take place in Flamborough Township the name remains Flamboro Antique Shows.

Bill and Jon are continuing promotion of the show by distributing flyers and signing up new dealers with a “hands on” approach that works. They both invite you to join them at the shows.

Bring your sunscreen, your umbrella, or your mittens!!