The Last Hunt Country Antiques Fair

Leesburg, Virginia

by Walter C. Newman

The weekend of September 5 and 6 in northern Virginia's horse country was an antiques show manager's dream. Historic Oatlands Plantation, south of Leesburg, provides an ideal venue for outdoor activities. Its rolling fields offer pastoral views and ample parking. Large white circus-style tents were perfect additions to the picturesque setting. The sun was shining, and the weather was comfortably warm. There was an excellent crowd, and everyone—dealers and patrons—seemed to be having a wonderful time. Everyone, that is, except the show's owner and promoter, Dordy Fontinel. She was a nervous wreck. Show or no show, expectant grandmothers are like that.

This was the 15th Hunt Country Fall Antiques Fair, and it will likely be the last by that name. Fontinel's fall show has been a northern Virginia feature since 1993. The first show kicked off with 80 dealers, and as a reflection of the various changes in the economy and the show's venue, that number has expanded, contracted, expanded, and contracted again. This year's edition once again featured 80 dealers.

The show was originally held at Oatlands, and it remained there through 2001. Owing to a well-publicized disagreement between Fontinel and the powers that be at Oatlands, the show has moved around over the past few years. Several editions were held at the Morven Park Equestrian Center, also in Leesburg; once in the nearby town of Middleburg; then on to the Loudon County 4H fairgrounds; and now for a final time at Oatlands. Fontinel has entered into a long-term agreement with the Loudon County 4H fairgrounds, where the show will be branded the "Antiques Heyday Market."

Regardless of the size of the show, or how it is named, Fontinel enjoys a reputation that includes two overriding principles: treat the dealers right and demand that only quality merchandise be offered at shows. As far as the dealers are concerned, she feels that it is her responsibility to provide a venue where they can succeed. Fontinel stated simply, "If the dealers don't do well, I'm out of business. It's as simple as that. They have to be able to pay their booth rent and still make money."

As for the assurances that only quality merchandise is offered at her shows, Fontinel has a longstanding policy whereby all participating dealers must sign and display an agreement that reads, in part, "…I guarantee that all merchandise offered for sale in this booth is authentic. It will be my pleasure to provide a receipt for purchased items, guarantee the authenticity, describe and date the items, give origin if known, inform you of any repairs and restoration, and include my contact information."

This requirement initially received some push-back from a few dealers, but as one dealer put it, "[Now] we all have a level of confidence about what the guy next to us is offering. There is some slippage, but far less than elsewhere."

The dealers at this fall show seemed to enjoy a good weekend. The field porters were busy carrying and loading larger purchases. Most, however, bemoaned the good old days when there was a great deal of buying and selling among dealers, and when larger furniture items left the grounds as sales rather than being used to support smalls. But sales were brisk, and most dealers were happy with their weekend.

There was mixed emotion among dealers about this being the final show at Oatlands. Bill Vincent, a longtime participant in Fontinel's shows, summed up the nostalgia this way: "Look around. Outside, under the tents—can you imagine a better place to have an antiques show? This is what it is all about. But then, you can drown here if it rains."

Oh, how did that grandmother thing work out? Well, Fontinel paced around the show grounds all day holding her cell phone, waiting for a call. It never came. A little more than two weeks after the show, however, Dordy's first grandchild, a boy, Sawyer, was born, all 11 pounds 12½ ounces of him, and everyone is doing fine. Patience, Dordy, patience. Good big things come to those who wait.

For more information, contact Dordy Fontinel Show Management, Inc. at (703) 779-2800; Web site (www.dfshows.com).

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