Sometimes you just need to run away, and get away… to Langley, for the much anticipated summer outdoor vintage sale.

It’s early, but the sun is out and the sky is a lovely robin’s egg blue with only a few clouds interrupting the sea of colour. Snow-capped Mount Baker, and the North Shore Mountains are clearly visible, making it a perfect day for a road trip from Vancouver towards Langley, British Columbia. Tainted Love is on the radio and well, I am alone and this is a song from my youth, so I sing loudly as I make my way to the summer Vintage Pasture Sale.

Half way there, I decide to leave the highway and take the scenic back roads that wind through the countryside. Makes for a slightly longer journey, but less people around as I belt out, “Sometimes I feel I’ve got to. Run away I’ve got to. Get away.”

Once I arrive, people in high visibility vests direct me, and many others, towards the MacInness family farm, the venue for the show. One of the parking attendants points me towards a make shift parking lot on a grassy field but I know there is proper parking lot up by Locality Brewing (part of the farm), with a second entrance to the show.

Here I find Bob and Joanne, friends of the organizers who are helping for the day. They are friendly and chatty, laughing as they try to figure out the portable point of sale system. This sets a nice tone for the show.

Stopping for a moment to map out a route through the show grounds, I notice that people are already taking things back to their cars, many using wagons for paint-chipped furniture and a surprising amount of large concrete garden urns and ornaments.

Amanda Upton from Forest Knolls Vintage and Kathryn Dolphin from Copper Reata, now seasoned show organizers, are hosting their eighth show (third at this location). They work hard to meet the needs of dealers, creating a real sense of community for both buyers and sellers.

However, there are many moving parts to setting up these outdoor shows and some issues such as spotty Wi-Fi, a heat wave or the coffee truck not showing up are out of their control. Being well-prepared helps to manage most things, but having a real sense of community also makes a bit difference. “We felt extremely organized this year,” says Upton. “But when our coffee vendor called at 8am and said her truck failed and couldn’t come this morning, one of the vendors drove his truck to Port Coquitlam and hooked up the coffee trailer and brought it back here. Such a team effort.” Everyone was extremely grateful to Doug from Prairie Treasures taking time away from his set up to grab the coffee.

Modelled after the vintage pastures sales in the U.S., it is important to Upton and Dolphin that vendors feel comfortable and relaxed from set up to take down. Most vendors have been doing these shows since the beginning and are very loyal. Of the 36 vendors at this show, only six were new. Upton and Dolphin maintain a waitlist of about 20 vendors for every show and appreciate when they can open up some spots.

“We are all happy to be here, although we are all too hot,” jokes Tammy from Melo Mercantile who was grateful to be back selling at the Pasture Sale. Her booth has an eclectic selection of items purchased on buying trips as well as when on holidays. “I can’t help myself,” says Tammy, “once a picker, always a picker.”

With one of the longest line-ups that Upton has ever seen, the doors opened at 10am for regular admission of $5 for this show on Saturday July 6 and offered early bird tickets from 9am to 10am. “We initially sold 100 early bird tickets online for $12 but then sold another 30 as the demand was so high,” says Upton who mentioned that these tickets also sold out within the first 24 hours. The show was consistently busy throughout the entire day, attracting over 1000 people.

Upton and Dolphin, who also shared a booth at the sale, were quite tired by the end of the day but pleased about its success. Taking some time to rest, and in Upton’s case to get married in Italy, they will soon be busy planning their next Vintage Pasture Sale in Langley and held on July 26, 2025. As for myself, I’m looking forward to another road trip or two — complete with another in-the-car singalong.

Reprinted with permission from Canadian Antiques & Vintage magazine. For subscription information to Canada’s only national antiques and vintage publication, please call toll-free 1.866.333.3397