Whether you live for tiki mugs, custom costume jewelry, classic toys or wagon wheels, Tucsonβs antique hunters and fans of all things vintage will have more opportunities to shop until they drop this fall.
In addition to the antique fair that has been held at Brandi Fenton Memorial Park since 2007 β the event runs 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. every third Sunday of the month from October to March β the city will see the launch of two new fairs and the return of the mega-Tanque Verde Antique Fair in a brand new location, all starting in September.
All of the new and relocated shows fall on different Sundays of the month.
Hereβs the breakdown:
Antique/Vintage Fair at Medella Vina Ranch
One of the biggest antique fairs in the city has found a new home at Medella Vina Ranch, formerly Pantano Stables on South Houghton Road, after parting ways with Tanque Verde Elementary School earlier this year.
This fair runs 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. every first Sunday of the month at Medella Vina Ranch, 4450 S. Houghton Rd. Find it on Facebook here: Facebook.com/tvantique
The ranchβs 45 acres of fields, mesquite trees and a green park space easily accommodate the 180 vendors that are expected to set up on the property starting next Sunday, Sept. 3.
Parking is plentiful but costs $1 per car.
Pets are allowed, but only in the open outdoor area, so plan accordingly says Corbett Black, who runs the fair with his wife, Darletta Black.
The Mercado Flea
Downtownβs answer to Tucsonβs insatiable hunger for antique and vintage fare will be The Mercado Flea, which will take place every second Sunday of the month in the lot adjacent to Mercado San Agustin, west of I-10.
This one runs 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. every second Sunday at Mercado San AgustΓn, 100 S. Avenida del Convento. Find more on Facebook here.
Kira Dixon-Weinstein, executive director of Mercado San AgustΓn says interest from dealers in setting up near the Mercado has been greater than expected. They had planned for maybe 30 dealers for the first event but have since expanded that number to 40 to suit demand.
They hope to eventually bring the number up to 75 sellers. Future Mercado Fleas will be held in the festival area of the mercado expansion, dubbed the MSA annex, currently under construction.
Wa:k Walk-up Antique/Farmers Market
Yet another new market, this time with a twist, is set to open south of Tucson, right around the corner from Mission San Xavier del Bac.
The market runs 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. every third Sunday at San Xavier Co-op Farm, 8100 S. Oidak Wog, off of West San Xavier Road. Find more info at sanxaviercoop.org
The Wa:k Walk-up market will take place the third Sunday of every month, starting Sept. 17, on an open lot owned by the San Xavier Co-op Farm.
The monthly event, which will operate on a year-round basis, will be part antique fair and part farmers market, according to coordinator Angelo Rios,
Customers can browse through vintage and antique finds provided by dealers from Tucson and Phoenix, while noshing on mesquite cookies, fresh produce and fry bread, made by members of the Tohono Oβodham community.
Rios, an antique dealer for more than 20 years who is on the farmβs board, said the goal is to bring money into the community and more exposure to the co-op and its mission: Utilizing healthy farming practices and growing traditional crops to support cultural and environmental values, as well as economic development within the community.
