Rare finds up for grabs

A RANGE of treasures and relics will be on display at the annual Ballarat Antique Fair later this month.

This is the second year the event has been organised by Louise Russell who decided to coincide the fair with the Ballarat Heritage Festival.

“It lends itself to the other activities that are on at the time like the vintage cars, and they’re centred in the CBD as well,” she said.

“It was a good time to make that change.”

There will be 29 antique dealers on site and attendees can discover a range of jewellery, furniture, silverware, ceramics, artwork, linen and collectables.

“The Ballarat Antique Fair has been running for more than 50 years,” she said.

“I think that the Civic Hall is such a majestic building and the perfect venue to showcase antiques.”

Ms Russell and her husband have been in the antique industry for more than 30 years.

“My aim is to keep the industry alive,” she said.

“I grew up with a love of antiques in a family that had a lot of antiques.

“I believe that antiques are very tactile and the fair gives people a chance to immerse themselves amongst beautiful items and maybe take them back in time.”

The Ballarat Antique Fair is on from Friday 17 May until Sunday 19 May. Entry costs $15 on Friday and $12 on the weekend.