The Latest News:
Our take on the Market Warriors episode aired in January 2013 -
The AMVETS and the merchants of Walnut were thrilled to hear that our
show was going to be featured in a TV contest show, so we went out of
our way to help these folks conduct their filming. Upon viewing the
final product, we (the AMVETS, merchants and a few of our dealers) have
some observations and comments about how Walnut Antique Show was
represented. The opening remarks of the Market Warriors episode were
spot on. Telling about the town and the antique trade that is our
mainstay was great. During the show, however, there were comments from
the announcer that were inaccurate and we need to set any new attendees
to the show straight on the facts.
First, the announcer kept referring to the show as a flea market. The
Walnut Antique Show is NOT a flea market. The AMVETS go to great lengths
to enforce our antiques and 'older' collectables policy. Second, the
contestants offered and expected to get items at less than 50% off the
listed price. They succeeded in a few cases. We are sure that many
discussions regarding price were left on the cutting room floor. Most of
our dealers price items to move at a fair price there are exceptions,
but new comers should not expect underpriced goods as a rule. Third, A
big deal was made about the rain stopping the show. The Walnut Antique
Show is a 3-day event so that a little rain doesn't kill the show for
the shoppers or the dealers. When it rains, some of the outside dealers
stop selling, some don't. Our inside dealers are not affected by the
rain. It just gets a little more crowed in the halls. The filming was
done on Saturday only. Friday was a great show day. Saturday was great
until late afternoon. Sunday was another wonderful day and our best
attended Sunday for years. The show does not stop because of a little
rain. Shoppers and dealers need to be and are flexible.
Bottom line, judging by the increase in emails and phone calls, the
Market Warriors episode has generated some additional interest in the
show both from shoppers and dealers, so we anticipate another great show
in 2013.See you there.
Look for a new TV show in January 2013 - HGTV sent a production
crew to Walnut during our 2012 show. We kept this under our hat to avoid
crowding around the filming crews. The concept was to give some money to
4 contestants to purchase antiques that will be taken to an auction to
sell and the winner will be the one who makes the most money. A film
crew followed each contestant and also interviewed a few dealers.
Details about the new reality show are sketchy, but we believe the name
will be "Market Warriors". Look for it in 2013. We hope the new show is
a success. If it is, the Walnut Antique Show will be a big part of
that success.
Monday June 19, 2012 - The 2012 show is in the history books. The
show was a great success. Attendance was very good, even close to a
record on Friday. Sunday attendance was up from previous years. We
believe that is because it rained all day in Omaha even though it rained
very little here in Walnut. Some of the Omaha shoppers waited until
Sunday to come and shop. Most of our dealers had a good show and plan to
return again next year.
Saturday Morning June 16, 2012 - 7 AM - Friday got off to a slow
start. It rained until 9 AM. The outside dealers were ready to show by
11 AM and the day stayed cool and pleasant. The day ended with a
few sprinkles and the rain stayed away all night. The forecast for the
rest of the weekend is very good. Partly cloudy and warm.
One of Walnut's new attractions is Tim Brennan's Ornamental Iron. Tim
has recreated an authentic 1800's blacksmith shop. He operates the forge
during the show and talks to onlookers as he heats and shapes iron the
old fashion way. This would be a great attraction to see while at the
Walnut Antique Show.
Tim working the forge.
June 15, 2012 - 8:30 AM - We had 2 inches of rain and it just
stopped and the radar indicates it is over for the rest of the day. The
antique dealers are setting up now and a full show should be up and
running by 11AM. The inside dealers have been open since 8 AM. The
forecast is for some more rain tonight and very nice weather Saturday
and Sunday.
June 15, 2012 - 4 AM - We have had a light rain off and on most
of the night since 9 PM last night. There will be some soggy areas in
some of the parking lots so be careful where you park. The ground in
Walnut has been so dry, that the rain should not present a problem for
most dealers. According to the radar, it looks like the rain should
subside by 6 AM. The forecast for Walnut today is for temps in low
80s with light winds starting out cloudy and becoming partly cloudy.
Humidity will fairly high. And a 50% chance of thunder storms.
The Walnut Fire Department will have their pancake, egg and sausage
breakfast starting at 6 AM on the south side of Walnut on the corner of
Atlantic Street and Hwy 83. that would be a great way to start the day
in Walnut. It will take the outside dealers a little more time than
usual to set up, but the inside dealers are ready to show at 8 AM. We
will update you at 8 AM today.
June 13, 2012 - A look at the 5-day forecast shows the
typical weather for June, mid to high 80s for temperatures and small
chance for thunderstorms with winds 10-15 mph. Most streets are
protected somewhat from wind by the trees and houses so a little wind
will have a cooling affect for shoppers. It has been very dry in the
area up to the 10-million dollar rain, Sunday night when we got an inch
and a half. If we do get a little rain, it shouldn't create a problem in
the parking lots like 2 years ago when it was a abnormally wet year.
The folks of Walnut are very busy this week preparing to support this
big event that transforms our small town into a bustling market-place
for 3 days. I am sure our 300 plus dealers are loading their finest into
truck, trailers and vans and either already on the road or soon to be
travelling our way. The Earl Caddock Memorial Drive declaration ceremony
is on for 9 AM on Sunday in front of the Village Blacksmith Shop on
Pearl Street. Mike Chapman will be here to sign the new Earl Caddock
book he wrote honoring Walnut's most famous past resident.
June 5th, 2012 - The show will be here before you know it. All
services are ordered and people scheduled to provide a great show again.
We sent many press releases out to the newspapers, radio and TV stations
regarding the significant 30th Annual Walnut Antique Show. The radio ads
are cut and are scheduled to run in the Iowa, Nebraska and Missouri
markets. Most of the dealer spaces are reserved, but we have a few late
cancellations to fill yet. Dealers who didn't think they had a chance to
get into the show will have that chance in the next few days. Call us at
712-784-3710 to reserve a space.
The long range forecast is for no rain and average temps (low 80's).
From talking to some our dealers, there is a high probability that we
could see one our best shows ever this year. We have also heard that it
is getting extremely hard to find lodging within 50 miles of Walnut. We
are suggesting that the Des Moines area is the best chance for lodging
now. Des Moines is an hour and 20 min drive to Walnut on Interstate 80,
so should be a low stress drive. As usual, our event is in conflict with
the College world series in Omaha, so the Council Bluffs motels are
full.
May 2012 - The dealer spaces are filling up with only a few left
to fill. We had more turn over of dealers than usual this year.
The waning economy for the last 3 years has taken a toll. We still
anticipate a great turn out of visitors if reports of great crowds at
other shows all over the country are true. It will be a testament
to the quality of this show when it turns out to be one of our best
shows ever. Actually, the extra spaces to be filled allowed us to put
some great new dealers in the show that we have been trying to get for
years.
Now the plan is set for the dedication of Pearl Street to be declared
Earl Caddock Memorial Drive. Mike Chapman who wrote the book about
Caddock will be here to sign books after the ceremony that is set for 9
AM on Sunday. This is a slow time for the show, so it shouldn't
interfere at all.
So.......plan to be a part of this years great event that is the Walnut
Antique Show. Start early with a great breakfast at the Fire Station at
the south end of town and work your way north during the day. Some great
food stands throughout the show will replenish your energy to do some
serious antique shopping. For the early birds on Friday, a good plan is
to check-out the indoor dealers at 8 AM when the doors open and the
outside dealers are busy setting up. Then later in the morning, the
outside dealers will be ready for you. More later.
April 2012:
The 30th Annual Walnut Antique Show is shaping up to be one of the best.
We expect top dealers to display their wares for this momentous
milestone of 30 years. All of your favorite food stands will be back.
The downtown merchants are getting excited. We may even have a surprise
in store on Saturday of the show. On Sunday, the Hawkeye Chapter
Studebaker Club will display many of their cars in the Peace Church
parking lot at the north end of Atlantic Street. The Pony Express Riders
will once again provide parking guidance. There is also some planning of
a possible dedication ceremony of Pearl Street as the Earl Caddock
Memorial Drive. Earl Caddock was Walnut's most famous resident who held
the world heavyweight champion title in professional wrestling back in
the early 1920's.
So, even if the economy isn't what it should be, plan to attend
the Walnut show. You don't want to miss this milestone year in the
history of the show. It will be worth the extra effort.
