Something for everyone at debut collectables fair

THE Prince of Wales Showgrounds will host the inaugural Bendigo Collectables Fair tomorrow and Sunday.And according to its organiser, Mark Blythe of Maldon Events, it could be a full house.

“The Maldon Antique Fair gets 3500 over the two days, so if that’s any indication…” Mr Blythe said.

“I’ve pulled out all the stops. If effort counts for anything, it will be standing room only.”

The event is being billed as the biggest of its type under cover in Victoria, with stallholders coming from throughout Melbourne and Victoria, South Australia, Queensland, New South Wales and more.

Mr Blythe said there would be more than 70 stall sites at the showgrounds’ exhibition centre, with an almost concrete guarantee of something for everyone.

Lego, Pokemon, vintage and contemporary toys, militaria, vinyl records, die cast cars, vintage Hot Wheels cars and traditional collectables – and much more – will be among the items on offer.

“Collectables now is not necessarily ‘old stuff’,” Mr Blythe said.

Being the first fair that Maldon Events has run in Bendigo, Mr Blythe said he had tried to make it as attractive and affordable for everyone as he possibly could.

Admission will be just $5, the fair will be spread out over 6000 square metres, and stall sites will be bigger than others.

“I’m trying to keep it so there’s something in this for everyone involved,” Mr Blythe said. “It will be great value for money for stallholders and for those that come along.”

Mr Blythe said he was planning to hold two of the collectables fairs in Bendigo each year.

The fair will run from 9am to 5pm tomorrow and from 9am to 2pm Sunday.

Access will be via the Holmes Road showgrounds entrance.