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Antique dealers set to takeover Main on Saturday

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By Nancy Bowman, Staff Writer 8:57 AM Friday, June 26, 2009

TIPP CITY — Main Street downtown will be free of traffic but full of antiques, art and, organizers hope, people during the sixth Antique and Artisan Show Saturday, June 27.

About 70 antique dealers and local artists with everything from pottery to weaving, concrete work to paintings, photography and jewelry are lined up for Saturday’s show.

Antique dealers will offer antiques and collectibles, not flea market items, said Ruth Safreed, event organizer and former owner of Midwest Memories antiques and collectibles mall downtown.

Organizers don’t think the economy will keep people away. Despite the recession, people are buying antiques, said Terri Bessler, who purchased Midwest Memories business from Safreed earlier this year.

Different methods of getting the word out about the 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. show are being used this year including e-mails and more Web listings, Safreed said.

While the antique dealers and artists will be set up on Main Street, the weekly Farmers Market will be in operation and downtown businesses and restaurants will be open. Main Street will be closed from First Street to the railroad crossing.

“We are trying to get back to what’s special about historical Tipp City. We are blessed with the city’s support. They realize what a gem this is,” Safreed said.

Bessler said the show’s combining of antiques and artists add to its appeal. The double bill “makes a unique combination,” she said.

Among demonstrations planned this year are water color painting, chair caning, pottery, story booking, weaving, massage, simple cooking, handmade papers and oil painting.

Safreed said her goals include attracting visitors to the downtown, giving artists and antique enthusiasts a chance to show what they do, “fluffing up” traffic for existing businesses and promoting the downtown partnership program.

“It is going to be a relaxing day. There will be plenty of time to look around, sit down,” Safreed said.