Vintage prints, wooden furniture and rare coins are just some of the treasures at the festival.
Prices range from $25 for vintage earrings to $20,000 for antique silver platters.
There's something unquestionably intriguing about the bindings on a pair of 60-year-old wooden skis. Serious antique connoisseurs will likely be lost in awe at the Rocky Mountain Antique Festival at Beaver Creek, July 27-29, but the typical passerby is also likely to be sucked in by the allure of some of the artifacts.
Antique vendors from throughout the country convene in Beaver Creek Village to display their carefully maintained collections of furniture, jewelry, artwork, Western relics and ski memorabilia.
Naturally, mountain-themed antiques will be well represented by the likes of Ski Country Antiques from Evergreen and by local outfits The Englishman in Vail and Parsons Ventures, Inc. in Edwards. The festival also features rare items from far away places, such as Tennessee's European Restorations or Glenwood Springs' Eastern Elements. Festival organizer Sarah Franke pointed out that it's not uncommon for antique festivals to transform into junk shows, but that vendors for this weekend's festival are handpicked and standards are high. Imitations and anything that might be deemed “junk” is forbidden. "We aim to keep it really upscale," she said. "Some festivals are sort of garage sale-esque. We go for variety so the vendors don't have a lot of competition among themselves."Prices range drastically depending on the merchandise. Last year a silver platter set sold for $20,000, but vintage earrings and smaller items go for $25 and up."What's interesting to me is that some people not only have a fascination with antiques, but they're looking for things that are very specific," Franke said. "Someone called me today and all he wanted to know was if we had antique toys. It becomes a hobby for people. It's a collecting type thing. They learn all about the era and the history of particular things."A shopping opportunity for collectors, the festival also serves as a museum of sorts for spectators and is free. The festival also features live music, food and drink boothes and children's activities. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 27-29. For more information, visit http://www.rmafest.com/.
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