As vendors from around the country set up their booths in the spacious rink on Wednesday, they took time to peruse their neighbors’ wares, eyeing antiques and proposing purchases even before the show began.

Co-organizer Jeff Molloy collects lunchboxes, and was interested in some from returning Saranac Lake native Robert Smith. Co-organizer Michael Meadows showed off an ornate early-20th century twig table by the legendary table-maker Rev. Ben Davis.

Molloy said this is a sampling of the diverse styles on display at the show.

“It’s just all kinds of stuff for all kinds of people,” he said.

Saranac Lake native Robert Smith traveled from Shippensburg, Pennsylvania for the Saranac Lake Antique Show and Sale on Friday and Saturday. On Wednesday, he set up his extensive collection of antique Halloween decorations. (Enterprise photo — Aaron Marbone)

These shows bring in people looking for everything from $10 trinkets to thousand-dollar rustic furniture. People from every income level have something of interest there, Molloy said.

This antiques show started in 1950 as a fundraiser for the Saranac Lake General Hospital Auxiliary. The hospital ran it for years in the Harrietstown Town Hall and Civic Center. But its popularity faded out over time, Molloy said, and it ended sometime around the late 2000s. The last show the Enterprise could find records of was the 56th in 2006.

After years of dreaming of bringing it back, Molloy — who owns Red Canoe Antiques in Bloomingdale — decided to take on the task. He had attended the show for around 20 years and remembers the last show.

“I thought there was a need. There was great community support,” he said.

Vendors have come from Illinois, Maine, Vermont, Florida and all over New York. Molloy said these are professionals in the field and he’s excited to see them.

Mark Christian from Plattsburgh sets up for the Saranac Lake Antique Show and Sale on Wednesday. The show runs on Friday and Saturday. (Enterprise photo — Aaron Marbone)

Antiques shows are also a sort of community gathering of enthusiasts. On Wednesday, they were chatting and swapping stories as they dried sweat from their brows during the big move.

Jon Kopp, who owns Wildwood Arts and Antiques in Tupper Lake, said this is actually his first time at the Saranac Lake Antique Show.

Mark and Linda Christian used to own a shop in Plattsburgh, but said they still came to be part of the excitement.

Robert Smith grew up in Saranac Lake and now lives in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania — a fortunate place for him to live as a big fan of Halloween. Shippenburg is home to the Beistle Company, a major decorations manufacturer, and he has “almost too much” orange and black memorabilia.

The antique show will be held in the Saranac Lake Civic Center on Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Saranac Lake Antique Show and Sale co-organizer Michael Meadows kneels with an ornate early-20th Century twig table by the legendary table-maker Rev. Ben Davis. The table will be on display at the show in the Saranac Lake Civic Center on Friday and Saturday. (Enterprise photo — Aaron Marbone)

Admission is $5, and tickets are good for both days.

The Saranac Lake Antique Show and Sale is returning on Friday and Saturday after a long hiatus. One vendor brought two signs from the show’s older days — 1972 and 1983. (Enterprise photo — Aaron Marbone)