Jan and John Maggs Antiques

Fireworks at the Little Compton Show

On Thursday, August 4th we left Conway after breakfast, headed for the Little Compton, Rhode Island Historical Society's annual antiques show. After lunch at Antonio's in New Bedford, one of our favorite Portuguese restaurants, and a few hours in the area antiques shops, we drove to our hotel in Portsmouth.

We woke early Friday morning and arrived at the show before 9:00, unloaded our van and trailer, and began to set up our booth. Since the temperature and humidity were especially high, once our preparations were complete, we returned to Portsmouth to cool off in our air-conditioned room before the 6:30 gala preview party.

We returned to the show at 5:30, to see to final details. Despite the forecast of thunder storms, no rain had yet fallen.

At almost exactly 6:00, with the beginning of a crowd of buyers assembling outside of the entrance, all of the lights in the school went out for a few seconds, and then immediately came on again. Dealers exchanged glances, but within a few seconds, conversation had returned to its former pitch.

Minutes later, a siren was heard, followed immediately by the arrival of the Fire Department. The building was quickly evacuated, and dealers and prospective buyers waited outside of the building while the Fire Department inspected the building. Apparently, a surge had tripped the fire alarm. The show would not begin until the firemen had determined that the alarm system was functioning properly and that the public would be safe.

Fortunately, the delay was brief, and we were allowed back into the building within a few minutes. The show opened on schedule, and scores of buyers descended on the show to view and purchase antiques, listen to live music, and eat especially prepared food.

As the evening progressed, we all expressed gratitude that the power failure had occurred before the opening, while the sky was still light, and not at the height of the preview.

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