I wish! Brimfield is a dream and so many states away from Texas. I would love to hear from anyone who went to the Country Living Fair a couple of weekends ago in Austin, though.

Amy Lauren: you can still enjoy Brimfield! The area was one of three sites the Commonwealth was considering for a recently permitted mammoth gambling casinos. Would sun-filled days of strolling through fields of antiques stalls, unearthing treasures, be replaced by sunless days of sitting in front of slot machines? Fortunately, no. The MGM casino developer pulled out in March, and is looking for a better site. Brimfield is safe but the blight will occur elsewhere, alas.
I have a 1760 blanket chest (original paint and hinges) I bought there a years ago for what one call a song. It is in many respects the most versatile and contemporary piece I have. The bare wood, worn through the robin's egg blue paint, has a glorious patina. And it still is used to hold a few blankets.

I am going to try to go to this! Thanks for the heads up Apartment Therapy!

You will enjoy it! It has become a tradition at least 2 out of the 3 times each year. Really unique finds and a mix of high and low end

If you're just casually looking, with nothing in particular in mind, how crowded or crazy does it get? And would I be nuts to bring my 1-year-old in a stroller?

I went to Brimfield with my sister once and her two kids and it was BAD idea! The kids wanted to play with all the "toys" and we had to stop them from touching anything. But if your child will be happy walking around in a stroller I think it will be fine. Parking is a bit nuts but it's so spread out and huge that I've never seen it get crazy or overwhelming.

Was supposed to go but the weather isn't cooperating. :-( It's worth the trip-such a lovely place and great finds. I will go over the summer.

I live about an hour away but haven't been in decades. There are probably some great finds to be had, but the scope is just too vast and the experience too exhausting, IMHO. Not for the faint of heart.

Plus, dealers from the west coast come to find things generally not seen on their side of the country, and they're prepared to pay big bucks because they have clients who they know will make it worth their while; this drives up the prices for everyone.

I grew up in Massachusetts and have been to the Brimfield Antiques Show many times. I just recently moved cross country and I miss Brimfield so much. It was truly my favorite place in the world.

I went yesterday! I found a few great finds and kept a pretty tight budget as well :) The crowds were kind of crazy and I probably wouldn't bring kids, but what do I know, I don't have any! I actually posted a DIY from a piece I found on my blog today :) http://www.design-eyeonline.com/my-first-brimfield-d-i-y/

Ah, good to know. My favorite flea market in NH will be down a bunch of antiques dealers, they always prefer Brimfield when it's running. I've never been to Brimfield, since I don't care about actual antiques, I prefer eccentric bargains like ethnic things. (Yes, some of those are antiques, but few of them at antiques specialty markets are what I consider a bargain!) Plus it's too big! But I wish those intrepid enough to go the best of luck.

i will be there in july, even though i keep saying after 27 or 28 years i will miss a show occasionally...but i have to go....no matter what...this may the weather was wet...and a test of my endurance...but we did it....i will be back on brimfield acres north and mays field in july with my mounds of vintage clothing and textiles...just for treasure hunters...see you there....

I went. It was awesome! I bought 3 antique tablecloths for a canopy bed project. The sellers were nice and some chatty, which I found pleasant. Hopefully some day I will return.

Its fun to go, but pricey: you even have to pay admission to some of the fields and it adds up. Also (my pet peeve) is that even though dealers are willing to haggle, many don't put a price tag on items. I want a baseline $ before I consider asking for a deal. People are nice, though, and it helps if you have yourself a list and do your homework on values before-hand.

Definitely get a Pilgrim sandwich! Oh, SO GOOD!!