Region
What started in a neighbor's barn has become one of the Pacific Northwest's most beloved antiques events. In 2002, Serena Thompson and a circle of friends put together a small curated sale with little more than enthusiasm and an eye for beautiful old things. That modest beginning now feels almost impossible to square with the show it produced. The Farm Chicks Show today fills the Spokane County Fairgrounds with more than 300 vendors spread across over 90,000 square feet of buying ground.
The scale is genuinely impressive, but the show earns its reputation through quality rather than size alone. Vendors arrive with carefully selected stock — salvaged architectural pieces, antique furniture, vintage homewares and clothing, and handmade artisan goods that sit comfortably alongside older finds. Sellers here tend to know their inventory well. They share context, provenance and a bit of enthusiasm with anyone who stops to look, which gives the event a warmth that purely commercial markets rarely manage.
The event runs on the first full weekend of June, with doors open Saturday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm and Sunday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. That Saturday morning session draws the most competitive crowd. Serious buyers arrive early, and the energy in the aisles reflects it. If you want first pick of the rarest pieces, Saturday opening is the time to be there.
Sunday offers a different rhythm entirely. The crowd thins, the pace slows, and the pressure lifts. Vendors sometimes introduce fresh stock toward the end of the show — items held back or only unpacked late — so late arrivals sometimes find genuinely new discoveries. Families visiting on busier days should note that the alleys can get tight. A baby carrier or backpack serves young children much better than a stroller when things get crowded.
The Farm Chicks Show draws visitors from well beyond the Spokane area. People travel from across Washington, from neighbouring states, and from further afield specifically for this weekend. That regional pull has a practical consequence: accommodation in Spokane fills quickly around the event. Booking a room well in advance is a sensible move rather than an afterthought.
The venue sits at 404 N Havana St at the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center. Bus stops on nearby Broadway and along Havana Street serve the fairgrounds, with the Broadway gate drop-off stop approximately 230 metres from the main entrance and the Havana at Alki Fairgrounds bus stop roughly 310 metres away — both useful options for visitors arriving without a car. Free parking is available on site and managed by attendants, with dedicated accessible spaces close to the entrance.
Whether you come as a dedicated collector, a casual vintage browser, or simply someone who appreciates well-made things from another era, the Farm Chicks Show delivers a consistently satisfying weekend. Its combination of serious curation, genuine community atmosphere and sheer variety keeps people returning year after year — and planning their June calendar around a Spokane fairground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When does the Farm Chicks Show take place each year?
A: The show runs on the first full weekend of June at the Spokane County Fairgrounds. Doors open Saturday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm and Sunday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Check the organizer's official page before you go to confirm the current year's dates.
Q: Is Saturday or Sunday the better day to visit?
A: It depends what you're after. Saturday morning draws the most competitive crowd and gives you first pick of the rarest pieces. Sunday is quieter, and vendors sometimes bring out fresh stock late in the show, so late arrivals can still turn up genuine finds.
Q: How large is the show, and what kinds of things are sold?
A: More than 300 vendors spread across over 90,000 square feet. Stock spans antique furniture, architectural salvage, vintage homewares and clothing, and handmade artisan goods. Sellers tend to know their inventory well and are happy to share context and provenance on pieces.
Q: Is parking available, and can I get there by public transport?
A: Free on-site parking is available and managed by attendants, with accessible spaces close to the entrance. Bus riders can use stops on Broadway and Havana Street, both within roughly 300 metres of the main entrance.
Q: Should I book accommodation in advance?
A: Yes — Spokane lodging fills quickly around the show each year, as visitors travel from across Washington and neighbouring states specifically for this weekend. Sorting a room well ahead of time is strongly recommended.
Meredith Mccormick
28th June 2016 at 04:43It’s just the best Antique Show ever, the different vendors creative talents are inspiring. There is so much to see, great buys to be had and everyone at the show is happy to be there.