Blyth Annual Used Book Sale and Vintage in the Village

Blyth has a long tradition of used book sales, with the first taking place more than 40 years ago as a fundraiser for the Blyth Festival theatre. Over the years, the first weekend in June has become a mecca for bibliophiles to stock up on their favourite summer reads or to find a long-sought-after edition of a classic. Most recently, the Blyth Repository of History has picked up the torch to continue this village tradition.

The Blyth Repository of History began as the collection of Brock and Janis Vodden, historians and genealogists who became the keepers of the unofficial archives and museum for the area. After Janis passed, Brock sought a group of like-minded community members to take over the collection and continue to make it available for research and study. A committee was struck and the collection moved to a wing of the local newspaper office. 

The Repository held a scaled-down and outdoor version of the sale in 2020 when the pandemic forced the closure of most indoor events. In 2021, with uncertainty continuing, the committee decided to postpone one more year. Now, with restrictions easing the group is planning to come back bigger and better than ever.

To make planning more flexible, the event will be held in a tent on the grounds of the Blyth Lions Park on June 3-5, and other vendors who specialize in vintage, antique and collectible items will be invited to set up. Vintage in the Village will feature other local businesses that also specialize in previously loved items. Pick A Posie, a local vintage clothing store and costume company, is the brainchild of designer Jennifer Triemstra-Johnston and will be hosting its grand reopening in its new space at 345 Queen Street, just across the street from the book sale and vendor tents. Finds and Consigns is located at 428 Queen Street across from the Memorial Hall and is an eclectic shop where you’ll find a nostalgic mix of vintage, antique and new items. Pianovations has become renowned for its meticulous restoration of beautiful pianos, while also carrying the area’s best inventory of new musical instruments and accessories. It is newly relocated to Londesborough but will be returning to join Vintage in the Village for the weekend.

For more information, follow the Blyth Repository of History on Facebook. Sale will be in Lions Park, 308 Gypsy Lane, Blyth.