The South Canterbury Military Fair is back once again to give the public a glimpse into the past.
Now entering its third year, the fair will again be held at Phar Lap Raceway and feature a wide variety of collectors and collections.
There will be the opportunity to see displays as well as purchase some unique pieces of military history.
Organiser and collector Malcolm Brady said he hoped to build on the success of the previous fairs.
‘‘It’s going to work the same as last year. We’re going to have quite a lot of displays and quite a lot of sales tables.
‘‘There will be some very interesting things, things that people would not normally get to see even in a museum.
‘‘There will be a lot of private collections on display.
‘‘People are also wanting to dress up in military costumes and things like that too, so that will be something new. There seemed to be a lot of interest from afar as well, which he said was great.”
He said as in previous years attendees would be able to bring their own items in to get an expert opinion.
‘‘I think that’s one of the best features, it’s like an antiques road show.
‘‘There will be so many specialists there, whether to be to do with swords or bayonets or anything.”
He said there was always someone there with a lot of knowledge.
‘‘I definitely would recommend people bring their stuff in and have it appraised or just to even find out what it is.’’
Mr Brady said he would be displaying his collection of military lamps.
‘‘It will be anything from post-war to signal lamps to officers lamps, there will be quite a vast collection that will be on display.
‘‘The main feature is a signal lamp that came from Gallipoli.
‘‘It’s quite large and they would use it to signal from the beaches out to the ships.
‘‘It is dated 1911 and has that provenance from Gallipoli.’’
The event will be held on Saturday and run from 9am-3pm. Men will be charged $10 for entry, women and children enter free.
