A SHORT HISTORY OF THE TRUCKEE BOOSTERS BENEFIT ANTIQUES SHOW

Originally founded in 1974 by Walter Larson and Associates, the Show continues to raise money for Truckee High School’s scholarship, academic and sports programs.  Twin Bridges Antique Productions had promoted the Truckee Antiques’ Show since 2008. Carole Berry has now retired and passed the torch to us.  Tanners Marketplace is proud to continue the long-standing tradition of promoting the area's finest antiques and vintage show.

In 1974, Walter Larsen, long-time promoter of antique shows throughout the Western States, began promoting an annual summer antique show at Truckee High School benefitting programs of the School’s Boosters Club. Over the years, the show grew in popularity as antique enthusiasts with summer homes as well as local and regional collectors faithfully patronized this event. When Walter Larsen called in 2007 and asked if I’d take over promotion of the Truckee Show,” says Carole Berry of Twin Bridges Antique Productions, “I was deeply touched that this veteran promoter of forty plus years wanted me to ‘carry the torch’. After all, I’d only promoted shows for twenty-six years! When we visited the show that July, I was very impressed with the quality and diversity of merchandise. Approximately sixty booths are creatively woven into the layout of Truckee High School, utilizing hallways, the cafeteria and gymnasium, literally every available space. With my experience, this sort of layout wouldn’t normally be effective, yet as I browsed through the various rooms, nooks and crannies, I discovered high end dealers of quality merchandise at every turn!” says Carole Berry.

Because of the long-standing reputation of this Show and strong support from shoppers, many dealers travel from other states, including Idaho, Missouri, Nebraska, Oregon, Nevada, Tennessee, Utah and Washington to take part in the Truckee Show. They bring a wide variety of merchandise, including turn-of-the-century oak and walnut furnishings, lighting fixtures, kitchen and country primitives, Victorian colored and art glass, American art pottery, sterling silver and silverplate flatware and hollowware, estate and costume jewelry, watches, fine porcelains and china, toys and dolls, American folk art, and ephemera (including artwork, prints, maps, and other paper collectibles.)

Slot machines and gambling related items are popular due to the proximity to Nevada casinos. “I suspect a number of dealers enjoy the added benefit of visiting said casinos while not at the Show!” says Carole.

Visits from celebrities are not uncommon, in years’ past including patronage by the late Leonard Nimoy, American actor and film director, best known for his role as Spock on Star Trek. Veteran antiques dealer Lenore Fultz, of Trail’s End Antiques, Tennessee, had an amusing tale to tell of Mr. Nimoy’s visit to the 2007 Show. Apparently, he and his son were interested in a set of china in the Fultz’ booth. Lenore reports that she didn’t realize who they were! As he didn’t take credit cards, Mr. Nimoy had to borrow $100 from someone at the Show to use as a deposit. He said he’d be back in the morning to pick up the dishes. When morning came, he was there with cash in hand.

While Lenore’s husband, Ed was wrapping the dishes, she cautioned the Nimoy’s that they’d need to be repacked for safe travel when they flew home. His son smiled and said that it wouldn’t be a problem as they had their own private plane. Aware that Mr. Nimoy realized that she didn’t recognize him, Lenore theorized that he assumed “folks from Tennessee don’t have TV’s! ”

2023 heralded the last chapter for the Truckee High School location.  Increasing costs have made it economically infeasible to hold the show there in the future.  A search was begun to find a location that was still close enough to Truckee that our friends and customers can still come.  Boomtown Casino is fairly close - being at the bottom of the hill from Truckee - and they have a nice showroom and other amenities that the school didn't have.  Accommodations and food are also a lot less expensive and we will get customers that didn't want to go all  the way to Truckee.  We are all looking forward to this new chapter...