Trade Secrets 2016

Trade Secrets Rare Plant and Garden Antiques Show is an annual event in the gorgeous Litchfield Hills.  It raises money for Women’s Support Services (WSS) in Northwest CT, an organization that provides crucial services to women who have experienced domestic violence or abuse.  Trade Secrets is the foremost fundraiser for WSS, started by Bunny Williams in her backyard in 2001.

I started my trip up to Sharon, CT the day before Trade Secrets to spend the night at my mom’s and enjoy spring in beautiful Northwest CT.  Trade Secrets kicks off at 10:00 Saturday morning (8:00 if you buy the early breakfast package), but I have attended enough times to know not to pull up at 10:00…..  Go early!

Over 60 garden and antique dealers come to Trade Secrets.  It is hosted on an incredible piece of hilltop property ~ Elaine LaRoche’s LionRock Farm

  
There is a garden tour on Sunday as part of the weekend.  Bunny Williams and Carolyne Roehm had their gardens on the tour this year.  I didn’t make it (sold out), but did see Bunny and Carolyne both loading their cars with goodies at LionRock Farm!

I have a long and special history with this part of Connecticut.  My mother and step-father started coming up here on weekends from New York City in 1978.

 
My husband and I got married in Sharon, January 25th 1992, almost 25 years ago…  Our reception was held at the charming White Hart Inn in Salisbury, CT.  I always love coming up here.

 
Tim joined us this year at Trade Secrets..  I was a little apprehensive because I like to linger over everything and didn’t want to be rushed, but when I saw him buying multiple peonies at my favorite vendor, I knew we were okay.

We lucked out with the weather.  It was a gorgeous day after torrents of rain 24 hours before.

  

  
Perfect weather to wander from vendor to vendor.

Rumor was that Martha Stewart was at the breakfast and bought all of her stuff early.

  
I was running into friends and so was my mom, slowing down our shopping progress!

After a few hours, multiple cups of coffee and some incredible baked thing ~ time to hit the road.

We found our way to the holding area to pick up all of our fab purchases.

 
Another successful year at Trade Secrets.

The 2017 dates are May 20 & 21, so put them in your calendar now.

 
See you next year!

the wry home