Did you know that The Michigan Antiques and Collectible Festivals are among only handful of businesses 40 years old and still going strong? Forty years ago a gallon of gas was 34 cents; the Motor Trend Car of the Year was a Pontiac GTO; the Detroit Tigers won the World Series; a loaf of bread was 22 cents; a gallon milk cost $1.21; stamps were 5 cents; the average cost of a new car was $2450.00; and the average annual salary was $9,670.00. Other successful firms starting operations in 1968 were Intel, Calvin Klein, Walmart, and Hallmark. While we are not comparing The Michigan Antiques & Collectibles Festival with the huge aforementioned American firms, all of these businesses have had to adapt, innovate and provide outstanding customer satisfaction over the years to stay in business for so long.

Michigan’s largest event of its kind returns in 2008 bigger and better - 80 acres of treasures & memories to be held on May 31st – June 1st, July 26th – 27th, September 27th – 28th at Midland Fairgrounds, Midland, MI.

Since taking over command of The Michigan Antique & Collectibles Festivals in 2006 Lori Oberlin has instituted many additions to the event:

To show appreciation to guests, the Festival will continue the "Raining Money on Sundays" Event. Every hour a lucky winner will be presented with $100 to spend anywhere in the show from noon to closing.

More free entertainment continues in many of the festival areas throughout the grounds.

This year Lori is devoting more time and effort than ever before thanking vendors for their long and everlasting support, also welcoming the many new vendors that have joined over the last year two years.

• The 2nd Annual Kruse International Classic Car Auction will be held July 26th, 2008.

• Got a ’68 Classic? Bring her up, and you’ll be featured in the Festivals’ Special 40th Anniversary Classic Car Celebration.

• A raffle will be held for a 1968 Classic Car with a percentage of the proceeds going to Midland Area charities.

• Returning by popular demand "Traveling Antique Toy Fire Truck Museum".

• Events catered for guests include a DJ in the Classic Car Show area, "Best of Show" winners for outstanding Classic cars, a special Michigan Antiques Festival calendar featuring the 12 top winners.

• There will be an expanded Swap Meet and Huge 4-Sale Car Lot.

The three annual events always have an outstanding collection of Antiques - primitives, glassware, furniture, flow blue, American, & pottery. The collectibles include comics, sports memorabilia, coins, Hot Wheels, NASCAR and a lot of other stuff too.

Lori also invites each of the vendors to a Special Thank You & Appreciation Party just for vendors on Saturday evening of the July show. Free food, prizes and entertainment! "I could not run this event without the continuing support of our many outstanding vendors", says Lori Edens Oberlin.

For more information about The Michigan Antique & Collectible Festivals 2008, you may write Michigan Antique & Collectible Festivals, US-10 at Eastman Ave./ P.O.Box 370, Union Lake, MI 48387 or visit their website at www.miantiquefestival.com or call (989) 687-9001.