63rd Annual Lititz Antiques Show

The 63rd annual Lititz Antiques Show opened to an enthusiastic, waiting crowd on Friday, June 26th at 10 a.m. for its two-day run.  Held at the Warwick Middle School in the charming and historic town, this year’s edition featured participants from as far away as Florida as well as a few very local dealers, and from states between.  Billed as “Lancaster County’s oldest antiques show,” it’s presented by the Lititz Historical Foundation to benefit the Johannes  Mueller House, built in 1792.

As the show visitors quickly filled the large airy room where the booths are, red “Sold” tags started appearing on furniture.  In addition, many soon were carrying bags holding their newly-found treasures as they scurried from booth to booth.  By day’s end at 5 p.m., most exhibitors were smiling broadly. One said it was his best opening day in a long time, perhaps ever.  Many were marveling at their sales, either the size or the quantity of them. Just about every dealer seemed genuinely pleased, a rarity these days!

Saturday was not as crowded or busy as Friday.  However, there was a steady stream of show-goers, many of them buyers as well, beginning at the 9 a.m. opening right up to the 2 p.m. closing.

Most of the exhibitors we spoke to were happy with the results, some almost giddily so. One told us it was her best Lititz Show ever.  With an enthusiastic crowd in a buying mood for two days and all of the fabulous merchandise at this event, it was a big success for nearly everyone.  

Billed  as a “primarily country” show, we were delighted to find a broader range of merchandise than that moniker implies. For instance, Vicki’s Antucs, Auburn, Pennsylvania, displayed Victorian textiles like linens, nightgowns, and ca 1920 baby bonnets, while Anderson Breish Antiques, of Ft. Washington, Pennsylvania, offered early, holiday, mostly German in origin, Father Christmas figures in varying sizes. Of course, there also were numerous examples of paint-decorated American furniture, plus period pieces in pretty woods, along with baskets, quilts, cobalt-decorated stoneware, redware, and other typical “country” accessories.     

Lititz is a great show to visit – not only are you supporting a very worthy cause but you have the opportunity to immerse yourself in an event with truly wonderful merchandise. Sounds like a winning combination to me! Watch for it when it rolls around late next June!

By Patti Guthrie