What's a event without a red carpet soirée? My favorite part of the City Farmhouse Pop-up Fair, is meeting new people from around the country + talkin' "antiques with new friends. That's precisely why we're rollin' out a burlap carpet (yep, burlap) on Friday morning for our early buyers. You can think of it like a red carpet pre-show event--you'll get the latest news about the Fair, hot shopping tips, predictions, PLUS we'll be serving complimentary mimosas from 8-10 a.m.

Early shoppers will have the chance to take a picture in front of our "wall of fame" and "walk the burlap carpet!" And you better start getting those voices warmed up, ya'll! We are hosting a friendly competition where one lucky shopper will win the chance to participate in early buying, meaning they'll get to skip the line and enter the show 15 minutes before anyone else--this fortunate individual will have access to the most sought after items, minus the crowd!

How do you enter? You must sing Tennessee's favorite tune "Rocky Top" as loud as you can in front of the entire audience. The participant with the most enthusiasm and gumption will win this coveted pass.

There's nothing we love more than a fearless personality who's willing to lay it all on the line and embarrass themselves for the sake of priority pickin'! Am I right?

For those over achievers, we've posted the lyrics to Rocky Top below so you can start brushing up. We'll also have copies of the lyrics at the show, for those that need it.

Rocky Top
Wish that I was on ole rocky top,
Down in the Tennessee hills.
Ain't no smoggy smoke on rocky top,
Ain't no telephone bills.

Once there was a girl on rocky top,
Half bear the other half cat.
Wild as a mink, sweet as soda pop,
I still dream about that.

Rocky top, you'll always be
Home sweet home to me.
Good ole rocky top,
Rocky top Tennessee, rocky top Tennessee.

Once two strangers climbed on rocky top,
Lookin' for a moonshine still.
Strangers ain't come back from rocky top,
Guess they never will.

Corn won't grow at all on rocky top,
Dirt's too rocky by far.
That's why all the folks on rocky top
Get their corn from a jar.

Rocky top, you'll always be
Home sweet home to me.
Good ole rocky top,
Rocky top Tennessee, rocky top Tennessee.

Now I've had years of cramped up city life,
Trapped like a duck in a pen.
Now all I know is it's a pity life
Can't be simple again.

Rocky top, you'll always be
Home sweet home to me.
Good ole rocky top,
Rocky top Tennessee, rocky top Tennessee.

Rocky top Tennessee, rocky top Tennessee.
Yeah rocky top Tennessee eee eee eee.

Just picked: (L) Vintage Chippy Grey Concrete Urns &  (R)  "Picks" from pickers aren't usually displayed or styled. We often find amazing things just setting out in the pickers yard, such as this fabulous 10' Vintage Work Table. 

Newbies looking to get into the business, as well as retail shoppers often ask use the question - how do you find pickers to buy from? That's not a question with a definitive answer.

Vintage Hollywood French Chairs

First, one should know that "true, everyday, real life pickers" prefer to sell to dealers rather than the retail consumer. That's because dealers usually buy in quantity—"package it" as some in the biz call it. That means that the picker could potentially sell his/her entire load to one person. Dealers love to buy this way—they typically get better deals and a lot of merchandise in one load—as opposed to the retail shopper who usually only wants one or two things.

Vintage Flashing Sign from a Massage Parlor 

But, if you're a dealer new to the business, it usually takes a little time to establish a relationship with a picker who will call you when they get a load. How then do you begin such a relationship? Flea markets are a great way to meet pickers. These monthly markets give you the opportunity to do business with a picker repeatedly time after time. Once the dealer finds that you are a serious buyer, he/she may start calling you with "fresh picks." It just takes a little patience and a whole lot of buying!

Happy picking! xx