The previous cancellation occurred in the 1990s, when the fairgrounds went underwater. "It was up over the top of the toilets," Metzger recalled. "That was high. Of course, people could see that."

Not this time around. A pumping station kept the fairground from converting to a lake, but the saturated ground was too mushy for just about anything that didn't quack.

From the outside looking in, the fairgrounds appeared fine. "The thing that was kind of rough," Metzger said, "was driving down the highway you could see puddles, but what they didn't understand is if you pull off the blacktop, you start sinking."

Metzger used Facebook, email and newspapers to help notify show-goers the event had been postponed. Not everyone got the word.

In the falling rain on the morning of May 6, between 200 and 250 vehicles rolled up to the gate, expecting the market to be open. Most people took the news well, Metzger said. "Nobody liked it, but this kind of thing does happen. There wasn't much negative reaction at all. It sort of helped that it was raining that day, for the most part."

What a difference a month makes. On June 5 the season finally got going in pleasant, dry conditions. All 250 dealer spaces were filled, and a large crowd equaled the show's best attendance for 2010.

People were buying. "I remember seeing a traffic jam where about four people pulled up at the same space to pick up furniture," Metzger recalled.

The sales were a refreshing sign to Metzger. Two other events he promotes, 20th Century Cincinnati in February and Ohio Country Antique Show in April, had record attendance. "I feel like my shows have taken quite a turnaround," he said.

Standing near the front gate, it was easy to see people were spending money. The variety of items being carried out by shoppers ranged from a large Coca-Cola sign to a trench-art lamp. There were ordinary things, such as a brown-over-white shoulder jug and a set of shutters, to more unusual items, including a signal cannon.

Jeff Van Brederode of Brookville, Ohio, had one of the most attention-grabbing items of the show -- a three-seat chrome and vinyl Art Deco bar with a mirrored back. It came out of a Hook's Drug Store in West Lafayette, Ind. Van Brederode said the bar, designed for use by children, was a companion piece to a 44-foot-long Art Deco bar in porcelain, which now resides at his 1940s-style diner, the Brookville Grille.

Van Brederode set up at Lawrenceburg in order to sell items he initially bought to decorate the restaurant. His merchandise included a Vendo Coca-Cola machine, circa 1960 to 1961, priced $175; Drink Coca-Cola bubble clock, $550; Phillips 66 clock, $275; and a single-sided tin sign for First-Aid, a soft drink, was $145.

Designed for use by children, this Art Deco bar was a hit with adults. Offered by Jeff Van Brederode of Brookville, Ohio, it sold early in the show.

Robert Wessel of Salt Creek Antiques & Gifts, Metamora, Ind., was selling fresh merchandise early in the show, with a Captain Video Game by Milton Bradley bringing $25. A Hopalong Cassidy Picture Puzzle was also sold.

Shoppers were thumbing through a briefcase full of baseball cards. Nearby sat a Strombecker Road Racing slot car set in working condition and with the original box, circa 1963, tagged $100, while a complete Gabby Hayes Carry All Fishing Outfit in a lithographed tin cylinder was $190.

Furniture was selling well in the booth of Michael J. Cohen Antiques of Brooksville, Ky. Among the items changing hands during the day were a Globe-Wernicke five-stack bookcase, chest with four graduated drawers, double cathedral showcase in metal and glass, and a Champion Spark Plug figural radio.

Gabby Hayes (1885-1965) was a radio, film and television actor best remembered for his Westerns. This Gabby Hayes Carry All Fishing Outfit, Nassau Products Corp., had a rod and reel stored in the lithographed-tin cylinder. The set was priced $190 by Robert Wessel of Salt Creek Antiques & Gifts, Metamora, Ind.

Stoneware canning jars included the quart Stone Mason Fruit Jar by Union Stoneware Co. of Red Wing, Minn., tagged $175, and the Jas. Benjamin Wholesale Stoneware Depot, Cincinnati, O., at $165. They were offered by Scott Friend of Connersville, Ind.

Still for sale were a pine step-back cupboard, 1860s to 1880s, having two glass doors over two molded drawers over two paneled doors, priced $1,875; one-door oak china cabinet with serpentine glass on the front and sides, $1,275; and an oak hall seat with a carved cornice and back rest, beveled mirror, one drawer under the seat, was $650.

A country store ribbon case in oak, A.N. Russell & Sons Co., Ilion, N.Y., all original, was $2,850, while a countertop showcase in wood with metal trim, about 36in wide, was $625.

Specialty booths included that of Scott Friend of Connersville, Ind., who had a mix of stoneware. "I always do well down here," said Friend, who has set up at the show since 1988.

From the Midwest, a quart Stone Mason Fruit Jar, Union Stoneware Co., Red Wing, Minn., was $175; Jas. Benjamin Wholesale Stoneware Depot, Cincinnati, O., wax sealer, $165; and a Western Stoneware Co. 2-gallon jug, brown over white, was $25.

Eastern stoneware included a James J. Duffy & Co., Troy, N.Y., 2-gallon jug, brown over white, $90; while a Burger & Lang, Rochester, N.Y., 2-gallon beehive jug with a cobalt floral decoration was $280.

Among the unmarked pieces were a 3-gallon salt-glazed crock with 13 stars around the gallonage number, tagged $125; and a 4-gallon salt-glazed crock with a prominent bee-sting decoration at $155.

Jon Gotkin of Greenfield, Ind., offered a variety of jewelry, including numerous pieces in Bakelite. A Philadelphia bracelet was $1,500; reverse-carved stretch bracelet, $750; reverse-carved bracelet with a goldfish motif, $400; and two injected dot bracelets were $500 each.

Brooches included dangling carrots at $200 and dangling bananas at $175. A doghouse pin was $300, and a pin showing a fox with a moveable head was $200.

Bakelite jewelry in the booth of Jon Gotkin of Greenfield, Ind., included a Philadelphia bracelet priced $1,500 and a brooch with dangling bananas at $175.

Having embossed letters at the edge, this patriotic ABC plate, A Gallant Color Bearer, made by Elsmore & Forster, was marked $128 by Mimi Morgan of Bryn Sion Antiques, Florence, Ky.

General-line antiques offered by Mimi Morgan of Bryn Sion Antiques, Florence, Ky., included Gaudy ironstone plates in the Morning Glory pattern, circa 1860, at $76 to $82; platter with a red spatter border and central scene of Spanish dancers in blue transferware, circa 1830, $210; spatterware saucer in a Star pattern, red, white and blue, $85; and a three-color Rainbow spatter handleless cup was $54.

Glassware included a six-flute brilliant cobalt tumbler, Midwestern, circa 1850, at $80; crystal cut and engraved wine decanter, 1830 to 1840, $225; and an Anglo-Irish enameled green pedestal salt, 19th century, was $50.

The Tri-State Antique Market continues through October on the first Sunday of each month. A show on Oct. 30 will make up for the flooded-out season-opener.

For more information, contact Bruce Metzger at (513) 738-7256 or visit www.QueenCityShows.com.

Don Johnson is a freelance writer from Indiana