Get ready for the largest antique festival in New York State. Madison-Bouckville Antique Week is set for August 12-18, 2024. The impressive event brings thousands of antique and vintage vendors from across the country to charming Upstate New York countryside every summer. Not only that, but the festival organizers also plan a preview weekend every June and a pre-holiday festival every November.
About Madison-Bouckville Antique Week
Madison-Bouckville Antique Week is the largest antiquing event in New York State. The festival, and its weekend counterparts, have been growing in size and popularity for over 50 years. Located along historic Route 20 in the heart of Madison County, the show stretches over 2 miles long. Twelve fields host over 2,000 antique dealers and vendors. Two. Thousand. And then some.
The festival has built such a reputation that it was recently featured in Country Living‘s 27 Best Antique Shows in America.
Antique Week is the highlight of the year for Bouckville. The quaint, rural area of roughly 650 residents welcomes tens of thousands of visitors from across the country. Tents and tables fill field after field with the most diverse collection of antiques and treasures that you can imagine. Uranium glass. Syracuse China. Antique tools. Collectable toys. Retro video and board games. Garden structures. Refurbished and antique furniture. Vintage clothing and artwork. And. So. Much. More.
Some of the most interesting items I found at the June show?
An old apothecary label box. An original phonograph in fantastic shape. An Australian beer stein with Aussie animals on it. Retro movie scripts. A giant stuffed elk head. Signage from segregated locations (not something I condone, but definitely fascinating to see in person). Purple mason jars. Corelle dishes in every design ever created.
Madison-Bouckville June Show
Before the main event in August, Bouckville hosts a micro-sized version of the festival during the first weekend in June. While Antique Week lasts 7 days and has over 2,000 vendors, the “June Show” lasts just 3 days and 300-400 vendors. Which, I have to say, is still HUGE. My friend and I browsed through multiple fields of antiques for the entire Friday of the June Show. And we still had so much we didn’t get to see. So plan accordingly!
November Antique Show
This year the antique festival season is being capped off with a third show in November. Like the June Show, the November festival will take place over a 3-day weekend. From November 10 through 12, you’ll have another opportunity to shop from hundreds of antique and vintage vendors. Just in time for the holidays!
Future Madison-Bouckville Antique Show Dates
June 6–8, 2025
August 10–16, 2025
June 5–7, 2026
August 9–15, 2026
Looking to extend your visit in Madison County? Check out this list of things to do in Cazenovia.
How to Prepare for the Antique Shows
While the festival invites everybody to attend, there are a few pieces of advice I have to help you have the most successful and enjoyable visit.
Wear comfortable clothing and shoes. The festival is mostly outdoors which means a lot of walking — and it’s the middle of August. Make sure to wear loose, light clothing and supportive shoes to stay comfortable throughout the day.
Sunscreen is your friend. Make sure to protect that skin! And reapply as needed.
Hydrate! Did I mention it’s in the middle of summer? With that said, be sure to bring some bottled water with you and refill it whenever possible. But as far as food goes, there are plenty of food trucks to choose from for lunch or other snacks.
Bring something to tote your treasures in. Reusable grocery bags or cotton tote bags are perfect for carrying around your purchases. If you’re very serious and looking to buy some bigger items, consider a wagon that you can pull around with you.
Don’t be afraid to haggle. This doesn’t mean to nickel-and-dime the vendors. But most are willing to budge a little on their prices. Particularly if you are buying multiple items from them.
Bring multiple payment methods. While most vendors will accept any form of payment, it’s a good idea to bring both cash and credit/debit with you. Some dealers might even haggle more for cash in hand.
Don’t skip the stores. Yes, the fields are incredibly full of treasures. But the shops are waiting for you to visit too! Some of them also offer exclusive antique week sales on top of their normal prices.
Antique Stores in Bouckville
Don’t worry if you can’t wait until August to get your antique fix. There are several antique stores in Bouckville and throughout Madison County that invite visitors year-round.
Cider House Antiques
Located at the front of the campground, Cider House Antiques features a wide array of treasures from approximately twenty different dealers. The shop specializes in fabrics, furniture, art, memorabilia, and accessories from the 19th and 20th centuries.
Cider House is open Wednesday through Sunday, April through December.
The Depot Antique Gallery
When I stepped foot in The Depot, I was immediately given a warm welcome by the staff members there. And that experience continued throughout the time I spent browsing the endless maze of rooms. The gallery features a carefully curated collection of antiques, collectibles, and furniture. I particularly enjoyed the wide variety of colored glass dishes and decor.
Located in an historic train station, The Depot Antique Gallery spans 7,000 square feet and is open 7 days a week. Shoppers are also welcome to browse their online selection of their most special antiques.
Victorian Rose Vintage Antiques
Located along the outskirts of the festival, the Victorian Rose is perhaps the most charming antique store in Bouckville. The antiques and vintage items for sale inside the Victorian house spill out onto the lawn during the antique shows. In addition to the collectibles, memorabilia, artwork, and more, the shop also houses items from local artisans.
Victorian Rose is open daily from March through November.
More Antique Stores:
- A & W EZ Mart
- Blue Eyez Auctions
- Canal House Antiques
- Cobblestone Trading Co.
- Crazy Lamp Lady
- Decorative Edge Candles & Gifts
- Living in the Past Antiques
- Madison Inn Antiques
- Mohawk Arms Inc.
- Niknax
- Rustic Junction
- The Eclectic Chic
- Tony’s Treasures
- Turnpike Antiques
- Whistle Post Antiques
- Whistle Post Creations
Campgrounds Close to the Antique Shows
Butternut Hill RV Campground
If you travel to the area with your own bed in tow, Butternut Hill is a great option to camp out. The RV campground offers a mix of RV, cabin, and tent sites with the necessary amenities.
Cider House Campground
Located in the heart of Bouckville, Cider House Campground has recently undergone some renovations to their sites. The campground has the most basic to the most luxurious campsites available for guests. From the simple tent spaces to 50 amp pull-through RV blocks with swings and individual fire pits, there are sites for every type of camper. Plus, if you don’t have your own equipment, you can rent a yurt, rustic cabin, or fifth-wheel camper on property.
If you choose to stay at Butternut or Cider House, you’ll be at the center of all the action for Antique Week in August or the June Show. The campgrounds both have large fields that house 150-250 vendors each during the festivals.
Other Places to Stay During Antique Week
Cazenovia Bed & Breakfasts
When it comes to the village of Cazenovia, there are multiple inns offering delicious food and overnight accommodations.
Brae Loch Inn
Located within the historic 1805 William Burr Estate, Brae Loch Inn became what is today when Eva and Adam Scotty Brown bought the property in 1950. Since then, the inn has been the home to countless weddings, meals, and traveling guests.
Brewster Inn
Along the southern shores of Cazenovia Lake, you’ll find the gilded-age mansion of The Brewster Inn. Like the Brae Loch, the Brewster is a popular event venue, inviting guests for special occasions and delicious meals.
Lincklaen House
TheLincklaen Houseis a staple in the village of Cazenovia. The historic inn is named after the village’s founder, John Lincklaen. The origins of the inn date back to 1835, when guests arrived by horse and carriage. The tavern inside the inn has an extensive menu with delicious options. But I may be a little biased, since they hosted our rehearsal dinner before our wedding.
Other Nearby Accommodations
Ye Olde Landmark Tavern
This historic six-sided structure was first built as a distillery along the newly-opened Erie Canal in 1837. Over its nearly two-century-long history, the property has been a warehouse, a store, a post office, apartments, and finally a tavern. It was even a stop on the Underground Railroad. The amount of history you can consume at Ye Olde Landmark Tavern is even more filling than the delicious meals they serve.
Blueberry Brook Farm Resort
If you’re looking for a more unique place to stay while visiting the Madison-Bouckville Antique, check out Blueberry Brook Farm Resort. The sprawling resort runs alongside Oriskany Creek in the hamlet of Deansboro. Blueberry Brook offers a variety of activities including mountain biking and hiking trails, blueberry picking, and a naturally-heated hot tub. Multiple accommodations of varying styles are scattered across the property.
Nearby Places to Eat During Antique Week
In addition to the inns mentioned above, there are plenty of restaurants around Bouckville where you can enjoy a good meal. Here are two more worth checking out.
Copper Turret
This casual dining restaurant is located in Morrisville and staffed by hospitality students from SUNY Morrisville. Copper Turret‘s menu consists of mostly American-style dishes alongside an extensive drink menu with local beer, co*cktails, and mocktails.
Ray Brother’s BBQ
If you want to eat some of the best barbecue you’ll ever have in your life, head to Ray Brothers BBQ. (Again, maybe I’m biased because they catered my wedding. But in reality, they catered my wedding because they are SO good.) Owned by brothers Tucker & Colin Ray, the BBQ joint is celebrating its tenth year in business. The entire menu is smoked low and slow over locally-sourced wood.
Can’t get enough antiques? Check out these antique stores in Oswego County.
