For those who love beautiful things, this event may be the stuff that dreams are made of! More than two dozen vendors will be set up at Plates, Pearls & Pretty Things–the first-ever local vintage market offering (like the name says), pretty things for sale. The event takes place on Saturday, April 26, from 10 am to 4 pm at Holy Trinity Church Hall (440 Stanley Street) in Hawkesbury.

“Think of china cabinet items: cups and saucers, salt cellars, glassware, plates, china, figurines and collectables,” says Louise Sproule, who is organizing the event on behalf of Holy Trinity Anglican Church and St. John’s Anglican Church.

“We put the call out for vendors and we filled up Holy Trinity Church Hall (Hawkesbury) in about a week,” she said. “And we have a waitlist, too. The response was amazing.” But not surprising, she added. As a local realtor, she knows that downsizing is a challenge that many are facing.

“Boomers have inherited things from their parents and grandparents and at a certain point, they have to thin things out and reduce,” Sproule said.

But there is good news.

Having done a smaller version of this type of event a few years ago, Sproule learned that there is an appetite for finer things. At a one-day event in Vankleek Hill organized at three church halls, buyers came out, looking for items to complete collections, or to start collections, she explained.

“From sets of crystal glasses, to tea sets, silver plates and more, buyers young and old were shopping for treasures to take home,” she recalls.

An added attraction at Plates, Pearls & Pretty Things will be professional appraiser Robin Pridham, of Pridham’s Auction House Inc., who will be on hand all day to appraise items. Event attendees can obtain vouchers at the door for two free appraisals. Additional appraisals will cost $5 each. Appraisals are on a first-come, first-served basis; and may be limited due to time constraints and demand.

Vendors will be located in the main hall at 440 Stanley Street, while appraisals will take place in the upper hall, near the tea and refreshments area, hosted by parishioners from St. John’s Anglican Church and Holy Trinity Anglican Church. Both church organizations will benefit from the event, which will share in all table rental fees and appraisal fees. Admission to the event is free, but donations will be accepted at the door to support the two organizations.

“Most of the vendors are regular folks like you and me,” Sproule emphasized.

“Aside from a couple of vintage shops attending, the vendors are local people who will be bringing items to sell and hoping that someone who appreciates them will buy them and take them home. I know people are bringing cups and saucers, serving dishes, jewellery, sets of dishes, table linens, a few quilts, hat pins, glassware and all manner of interesting things,” she said.

“A sentimental attachment to our possessions can be softened when we know that items will be cherished by their next owner,” Sproule ended.