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/Warrenton

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