History comes to life during antique sale

Fort Macleod is known as the place where history is preserved and appreciated.
Historic buildings on Main Street, a museum honouring the Northwest Mounted Police and an interpretative centre built on an ancient buffalo jump are examples of the town’s ties to the past.
Fort Macleod’s newest connection to the past is the annual antique sale and show, which runs Saturday and Sunday, June 15-16 at the Fort Macleod and District Sports Centre.
The sale and show, which gets under way at 10 a.m. both days, attracts antique dealers from across Alberta, B.C. and Saskatchewan.
About 90 tables have been sold for the antique sale and show, with dealers bringing a wide selection of antiques and collectibles.
“It’s a great show, and we get good comments every year,” Fort Macleod Chamber president Terry Daniel said.
The Chamber has organized the antique sale and show as its major fund-raiser for 12 years now.
Cynthia Temoin has taken the lead in organizing the antique sale and show for the Chamber.
It is anticipated the remaining five tables will be booked before the sale and show gets under way this weekend.
Fort Macleod has traditionally attracted people who deal in all manner of antiques and collectibles.
Dealers sell glassware, dishes, comics, furniture, military items, sports memorabilia, collector cards, cameras, clocks, telephones, newspapers and magazines, collectible tin cans, dolls, musical instruments, coins and clothes.
The sale and show has proven a popular draw for people with an interest in antiques and collectibles.
“We bring people in from all over the place,” Daniel said Thursday at the Chamber’s monthly meeting. “It’s quite surprising.”
Last year the sale and show brought more than 1,100 people to the arena. Thirty-seven per cent of visitors were from Lethbridge, 28 per cent were from Fort Macleod and six per cent were from Calgary.
“The rest just come from everywhere,” Daniel said. “The show has done really well.”
The Chamber of Commerce needs volunteers to help with set-up tables and booths on Thursday, June 13.
Volunteers also help dealers with set-up on Friday, June 14 and take-down on Sunday, June 16 after the sale and show.
Anyone interested in helping should call Cynthia Temoin at 403-634-5203.