The twice-a-year event is one of the largest at the Clark County Fairgrounds each year, Clark County Sheriff Gene Kelly said.
“We’re going to try to expedite the traffic as quickly as possible, but it’s a very large crowd and we expect thousands of people,” Kelly said.
On Friday license plates from as far away as New York, Tennessee and Michigan filled the parking lots.
“It’s crazy busy already,” said Toni Coristein, who drove five hours Friday with her husband, Cal, from Caledonia, Mich., to come to the event.
Construction on the Ohio 41 overpass bridge is also expected to slow traffic at the exit. The bridge is restricted to one lane in each direction.
The sheriff warned that traffic could back up onto I-70 in both directions at the exit because of these factors.
Electronic signs on the interstate warn both eastbound and westbound drivers that traffic might be slow because of the event.
Crews at the scene will direct cars and control traffic signals on the exit ramps to ease the congestion.
Deputies on patrol said they expect most of the traffic to be before noon each day of the event.
But the sheriff warned drivers traveling in the area this weekend to keep their eyes open for brake lights and stopped traffic.
“Wear your seat belt, slow down, be patient and we’re going to move you through as quickly as possible,” Kelly said.
In 2013, dense fog and heavy traffic going to the antique show led to big pileups on I-70.
The show has more than 2,000 vendors selling everything from antique furniture to hanging baskets. A more than $3,000 stuffed grizzly bear is also for sale.
“The largest (antique show) we know of back home is about 400 vendors,” Coristein said, so that is why she and her husband make the trip south each year.
A car and parts show at the fairgrounds during Memorial Day weekend could cause similar traffic issues with the current construction in the area, Kelly said.
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