A popular annual antiques show in Hamilton, Ont. that was postponed for two years due to the pandemic has been permanently cancelled, ending a 30-year legacy in the region.

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The Christie Antique & Vintage Show announced its closure on May 13.

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Show organizer Hamilton Conservation Authority (HCA) made the decision after conducting an operational review of the Christie Lake Conservation Area, where the event has been held since it launched in 1988 as the Christie Antique Show.

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The HCA assumed responsibility of running the event in 2010, and in 2014 renamed it to the Christie Antique & Vintage Show to reflect the increasing number of vintage items — which are generally considered to be older than 20-40 years in age, depending on the dealer’s threshold.

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With more people enjoying activities such as cycling and hiking throughout the pandemic, memberships to the HCA conservation areas have doubled since 2019. It’s “an unprecedented surge of public interest,” says the HCA in a statement.

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“Closing off the park to some of those activities in order to prepare and host large events, like the Christie Show, is simply now too hard to justify.”

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Organizers also cited rising costs and weather-dependent conditions as reasons for the closure.

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The Christie Antique & Vintage Show, known colloquially as the “Christie Show,” was a popular spot for vintage lovers and resellers from all over North America to talk directly to antiques dealers.

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The event attracted more than 10,000 people at twice-yearly shows in the spring and fall with 100-plus dealers over four hectares (10 acres) of outdoor shopping space.

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“The Hamilton Conservation Authority thanks all of our dealers, vendors, suppliers, patrons, staff and everyone else involved with putting on the show for more than 30 years,” says the HCA. “We had an incredible run and wish everyone all the best in the future.”

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To see other vintage and resale events happening in Hamilton and across Canada, visit our events calendar.

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