Busy Brimfield Antiques and Collectibles Show never gets old; High gas prices fail to keep folks from tri-annual flea market.

• Position: LOCAL NEWS

Byline: Bill Fortier

BRIMFIELD - The May Brimfield Antiques and Collectibles Show is usually the busiest of the thrice-yearly event and people associated with what is more commonly known as the Brimfield flea market say this has been a very busy fair, despite soaring gas prices.

Even though gas prices in town ranged as high as $3.849 per gallon, traffic on Route 20 moved slowly yesterday and several motels in town and in neighboring Sturbridge sported No Vacancy signs.

Stanley A. Vaill, 87, spent last week parking about 50 cars per day on his Warren Road property and he said there were very few comments from people about gas prices.

"I think with the May flea market people want to get rid of that cabin fever," he said as he collected $4 from someone who wanted to park their car in his shady backyard. "It's been pretty busy."

Police Lieutenant William Beaudry said he hadn't noticed any difference in the amount of traffic at this market than in previous May events when the price of gas was lower. He said traffic has been backed up at various times on Route 20 just as it has in past years.

"It's been a good market," he said about 3 p.m. yesterday, reporting that with the exception of some petty thefts at the market and two minor, non-flea-market-related accidents, things have gone smoothly.

Stephen Renaud of Northboro has been selling, among other items, Pilgrim Sandwiches for 12 years and he said the flea market that is wrapping up today was his busiest ever.

Mr. Renaud said he has been selling about 1,200 Pilgrim Sandwiches per day: roast turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce and mayonnaise on a roll.

He said one of the things he's noticed is that more people from other countries have been at the flea market in an apparent attempt to take advantage of the weak American dollar.

He said he believes it has been so busy because people from other countries can afford to travel while Americans can't.

"Am I surprised about how busy it's been? Oh, good God, yes," he said.

"Who wouldn't be, aren't we supposed to be in a recession?"

Lori A. Faxon runs the Brimfield Antiques Center and Midway Antiques Exhibitors at the west end of the flea market.

Business was strong yesterday afternoon as...