Round Top's Antique Fair

A Little bit of everything!!  

Indoor venues provide some A/C

Airstream trailers are popular and artsy

"One man's junk is another man's treasure!"

So if you’re one of those folks that like spending time outdoors while looking at “stuff” then I got a place worth some serious consideration.  “The” next place to visit is none other than Round Top, TX and the surrounding area east & West of town on scenic 237.  Oh yeah, and before we go any further let’s get something staight.......it’s Round Top, not Round Rock (no offense to the crowded suburb North of Austin).  My good friend Ed stated we should rename the town “Square Bottom”, ha!  If you knew Ed you’d appreciate that bit of humor a little more. 

The cute little country town of Round Top (pop. 90) is set amongst the rolling hills of Fayette County pretty much halfway between Houston and Austin.  However, Round Top is a relaxing oasis compared to both sprawling cities.  In addition to the town’s charismatic oak trees, rolling hills, world-renowned July 4th Parade, Festival Hill and Royer’s Round Top Cafe is the quickly growing antique Fair that takes place Spring & Fall every year.

The first antique show was started in Round Top’s Rifle Hall by Emma Lee Turney over 40 years ago.  Boy, she would be surprised to see what it has blossomed into today.  If you’ve been to the massive flea market in Canton, TX then you have some idea of what I’m trying to describe.  However, it is very important to note that the Round Top event has more of the rural charm, largely still maintains the traditional antique theme and is virtually free of products “made in china” that ex-fans of Canton have complained about. 

Recent growth in this unique event has resulted in new land owners jumping on the bandwagon by opening up “pastures” for more vendors to get a piece of the action.  A short list of the “new guys on the block” include Old Henry Farm and Blue Hills Event Center.  Some of the new vendors are less traditional and are more “liberal” (mostly observed in the Warrenton area) in regards to what a vendor can sell.  For example, I saw a booth who I’d to call the “home tool guy”.  This guy sells everything from duct tape on down jumper cables and wrench sets.  I guarantee that booth wasn’t at the Round Top Antique show five years ago!  

Round Top Antique Fair takes place over two weeks every Spring & Fall and is truly an “out of this world site to be seen”.  I mean, there’s literally everything there!  I made a half-hearted attempt to keep a list while walking around and just stopped writing after an hour.  Well, I have to say you won’t see anything space or computer related.  So, almost everything, including pink flamingoes and an awesome variety of food as well as cold beer to quench your thirst after a long day of “hoofin’ it”!  However, did I mention that I found an astronaut amongst the maze of vendors (see inset picture).......so almost everything.

So whether it’s the original show at Rifle Hall or one of the “newer” sites that has accumulated into an incredible conglomeration of art, antiques and some good ole “junk”.........you’re in for one heck of a great time out in the country amongst the oaks & most likely some new friends.