Monday, March 29, 2010

Round Top for Dummies, What is the Round top, Warrenton, Marberger Antique Show???





This is a slightly edited post from last year. Several folks have asked me about the show I will be attending this weekend (as a shopper, not seller) and so I decided it was time for a primer on Round Top/Warrneton

For years I've heard about the big sale at Round Top, I've also heard it called Warrenton, and
Marburger.
This has been a point of confusion for me and one of the reasons I've never made it down there. I also had heard there are "No deals at... (one of the show names)." Also another reason I never made the trip. After meeting several of the dealers who sell there, I decided to get down there and see what it was all about. I also wanted to figure it out, so I could clear up the confusion (If anyone but me was confused).
My first stop was this web site. The site says

"AntiqueWeekend isn't just one sale, event or show,
it's dozens!

So now we have another name. "Antique Weekend". For Simplicity we will simply call it the Round Top Show, it happens twice a year (Spring and Fall).

The cities of Round Top and Warrenton Texas are right next to each other, Actually Round top just North of Warrenton in Central Texas between Houston & Austin.

Along both sides of SH237 there are fields. Some fields have permanent buildings, some do not. There are many tents set up. Each field is it's own show, and each show has it's own vibe and name.

These signs and buildings will help you navigate the show (s), and serve as landmarks.



Many flow into 1 big show for the most part. Some are separated by space of empty fields, and a short drive will get you to the next one.

I live in North East Texas so I simply headed south for about 4 hrs, with my GPS telling me where to go. As I enter the city of Carmine (N of Round top) I begin to see some small shows with A few tents set up etc. These shows are small, but worth the stop if you have time. But do not think this is it, there is much more.

Keep going (south for me and this article) and you'll enter the small town of Round Top. In Town you will also see a few small shows, worth a visit, but still not the bulk of the shopping. As you head further south you'll be nearing Warrenton, and you will begin to see lots of tents, buildings, people, cars and this is where the bulk of the shows are.




Oh I forgot to mention Marberger. It is a show in and of itself. It does not have the same calendar as the other shows. Most of them are 2 weeks, Marburger does not open until the 2nd week, and the other shows have been at it for a week by that time. I did not go to the Marburger show and have nothing to add about it, but it has been written about extensively and is probably the best known of all the shows. I did see the tents and it looks very large. I believe it is the place to "see and be seen" at the Round Top shows. Please
do not go only for Marburger. If you do you'll be missing lots of great stuff at the other shows.

You can see a larger version of the map here

That's the 411 on Round Top. I'll be heading out at dark 30 in the morning and will be at Teresa's blog party Sunday night, with some Flea Market Style magazines. Hope I find some treasures, but Tamara has been at it for a week already and is getting lots of the goodies. Leave me something!!!! If you see me be sure to say hello







8 comments:

Jill said...

THANK YOU! I've been reading about this in blogland and have been very confused. Is this a once a year event?

kimmykats said...

I was confused too when I read you were back. I didn't think it even started until this week...Thanks for all the pictures it is one I think worth a road trip!

Michele said...

I just had to tell you Margo...my boss is flying into Tyler next week...he's visiting our plant in Jacksonville. I tried to get him to take me along...said there were lots of junk I needed to check out...he didn't go for it. Waaaaaa!

Hugz,
Michele

Caroline said...

Margo are these shows open all the time? We will be in TX in July and I really want to check out some of these? What would you suggest?

Anonymous said...

Ah! So cool! It's like watching Mythbusters, Round Top style, LOL. Thank you thank you for taking the overwhelming YIKES out of it for me!

solid wood furniture said...

Thanks for sharing your experience. It looks like you had a good time. I think I should also visit this place, too.

Sentimentally Me said...

I'm loving reading all of this * thanks for sharing! I live in CT and do the Brimfield Market 3x a year. Looks to me like this is set up in a similar way, they stagger the opening of the fields AT Brimfield throughout the week. Only thing is, Brimfield is just 6 days. I'm EXHAUSTED after Brimfield, but still wanna head down to Texas for these shows some day! Good Gawd, I guess it's just in the blood! Thanks again for sharing, keep it comin' !!! Patrice

Anonymous said...

Hi Margo,

Marburger, Red Barn, Texas Rose, Zapp Hall, La Bahia, Blue Hills, Excess, Clutter....what fun and oh yes can't forget Royer's Pie:)))

Blessings:)
Carol
http://raisedincotton.typepad.com

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