The popular Carmarthen Antiques Fair returns to the Carmarthen Showground on Saturday and Sunday, March 7 amd 8, for their first antiques event of the year.
Now into its 16th year, this popular fair still pulls in a respectable attendance of good private buyers with money to spend, which leads local organisers, Towy Antiques Fairs, to view the coming year with some optimism.
During 2008, the fair remained as popular as ever, with dealers and visitors, and virtually all their regulars have rebooked for 2009. Visitors will see a few new faces too.
Among the new dealers is A. J. Art, who promises an interesting selection of Welsh art, including works by some contemporary Welsh artists, including some striking Welsh views by David Barnes, who will be at the fair in person on Saturday, March 7.
Meanwhile, an excellent selection of scent bottles will be on offer from another newcomer from the west country.
Of course, the mainstay of the Carmarthen fair is its excellent range of traditional country and formal furniture, as well as a selection of pottery and porcelain spanning three centuries. Indeed, it is its reputation for the quality of its stock and the friendly, knowledgeable dealers which prompts the claim that this is probably Wales' most popular fair.
The Carmarthen Antiques and Collectors' Fair takes place on Saturday and Sunday, March 7 and 8, at the Carmarthen Showground, just off the A40 (west) about a mile out of Carmarthen. The fair is open from 10 am - 5 pm on Saturday and 10 am - 4 pm on Sunday. Admission is £3.50, with plenty of free parking.