Originally founded in 1974 by Walter Larson and Associates, the Truckee Boosters Benefit Antiques Show was created to raise money for Truckee High School scholarship, academic, and sports programs. Since 2008, the show had been promoted by Twin Bridges Antique Productions under the direction of Carole Berry, who has now retired and passed the torch to us. Tanners Marketplace is proud to continue the long-standing tradition of presenting one of the region’s premier antiques and vintage shows.  Tanners Marketplace is proud to continue the long-standing tradition of promoting the area's finest antiques and vintage show. A Short History of the Truckee Boosters Benefit Antiques Show Now the Boomtown Antique Show Originally founded in 1974 by Walter Larsen and Associates, the Truckee Boosters Benefit Antiques Show was created to raise money for Truckee High School scholarship, academic, and sports programs. Since 2008, the show had been promoted by Twin Bridges Antique Productions under the direction of Carole Berry, who has now retired and graciously passed the torch to us. Tanners Marketplace is proud to continue the long-standing tradition of presenting one of the region’s finest antiques and vintage events. In 1974, Walter Larsen — a respected promoter of antique shows throughout the western United States — launched the annual summer show at Truckee High School to benefit the Truckee High School Boosters Club. Over the decades, the event earned a loyal following among local collectors, antique enthusiasts, and summer residents who returned year after year in search of exceptional treasures and unique finds. “When Walter Larsen called in 2007 and asked if I’d take over promotion of the Truckee Show,” recalled Carole Berry of Twin Bridges Antique Productions, “I was deeply touched that this veteran promoter of more than forty years wanted me to ‘carry the torch.’ After all, I’d only promoted shows for twenty-six years!” When Carole first visited the show in 2007, she was impressed by both the quality and diversity of merchandise. Approximately sixty booths were creatively arranged throughout Truckee High School, utilizing hallways, the cafeteria, gymnasium, and nearly every available space. Though unconventional, the layout became part of the show’s charm, with high-end dealers and quality antiques waiting around every corner. Because of the show’s outstanding reputation and loyal customer base, dealers have traveled from across the country — including Idaho, Missouri, Nebraska, Oregon, Nevada, Tennessee, Utah, and Washington — to participate in the event. Merchandise has included turn-of-the-century oak and walnut furniture, lighting, kitchen and country primitives, Victorian art glass, American art pottery, sterling silver, jewelry, watches, fine porcelain and china, toys, dolls, folk art, and ephemera such as prints, maps, and paper collectibles. Slot machines and gambling memorabilia also became especially popular due to the show’s proximity to Nevada casinos. As Carole Berry humorously noted, “I suspect a number of dealers enjoy the added benefit of visiting said casinos while not at the show!” Celebrity visitors have occasionally appeared as well, including the late Leonard Nimoy, beloved for his role as Spock on the television series Star Trek. One memorable story came from veteran antiques dealer Lenore Fultz of Trail’s End Antiques in Tennessee. During the 2007 show, Nimoy and his son stopped to purchase a set of china from her booth. Lenore later admitted she had no idea who he was. Because she did not accept credit cards, Mr. Nimoy borrowed $100 from someone at the show for a deposit and returned the next morning with cash in hand to complete the purchase. As Lenore’s husband carefully wrapped the dishes, she warned the Nimoys that the china would need to be repacked carefully for airline travel. His son smiled and assured her it would not be a problem because they had their own private plane. Lenore later joked that Mr. Nimoy probably assumed “folks from Tennessee don’t have TVs!” The year 2023 marked the final chapter for the Truckee High School location. Rising operational costs made it no longer economically feasible to continue hosting the show there. A search began for a new venue close enough to Truckee to remain convenient for longtime customers and friends of the show. That search led to Boomtown Casino Hotel, located just down the hill from Truckee. The new venue offers a spacious showroom along with amenities the school could not provide. Lodging and dining are also more affordable, while the location makes the show accessible to visitors who may not have wanted to travel all the way to Truckee. This exciting new chapter has already proven successful. The Boomtown Invitational Antique Show was warmly received, with dealers and customers alike praising the new venue and atmosphere. We look forward to continuing the tradition for many years to come. See the photos at the top of this page.