The Central Coast is full of treasures and this weekend you can go on a major treasure hunt in Paso Robles.
If you’ve been before, you know we’re talking about the Three Speckled Hens Antiques and Old Stuff Shows.
If you haven’t been, you should know this is not your grandmother’s antique show.
The three “hens,” Carrie Millan, Kathy Marquart and Susi Fuller, will tell you they have everything from mid-century modern to vintage and primitive antiques.
“I don’t know anybody who couldn’t come to the show and find something they love,” Fuller said.
Three Speckled Hens Antiques and Old Stuff Show is the 10-year-old brainchild of the three Templeton ladies. The show runs bi-annually, drawing more vendors, food trucks and attractions each time.
More than 160 dealers from across six states will have their unique goods on display this weekend at the California Mid-State Fairgrounds in Paso Robles.
“We’ve really attracted some of the very, very best antique dealers in the country and it’s so exciting for us to bring them to the Central Coast,” said Fuller.
Attendees will find restored, up-cycled and re-purposed items as well as jewelry, household and garden pieces. There are even “mantiques.”
“It started out as a lot of women coming,” said Marquart, “Now the men are just as interested. It brings everybody together.”
“And if the men don’t want to shop, we have a ‘hen-pecked husband area,’" said Fuller. "We’ve brought in leather chairs and games for them to play and it’s right across from the bar so we’re keeping everyone pretty happy.”
You should feel good about your vintage purchases.
“We do donate a portion of our proceeds to Jack’s Helping Hand which is a local organization that helps kids only in San Luis Obispo County,” said Millan. “We’re very proud to do that each and every show.”
More than 6,000 people are expected to attend from across California and the country.
So what do “The Hens” say is the best part of the event? Their answers vary.
Millan & Marquart: “The people!”
Fuller: “The mimosas!”
Marquart says the Bloody Marys are also excellent but ultimately, the three hens agree their show is all about friendship, fun and spending time with great people on the Central Coast.
Here’s what you need to know if you want to go:
Early bird tickets ($20) get you in at 8:00 a.m. Saturday.
General admission tickets ($10) get you in at 10:00 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.
The show runs from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Saturday and 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Sunday.
Your ticket is good for both weekend days.
