REGISTRATION OPEN FOR FLEA MARKET FESTIVAL OF ANTIQUES, COLLECTIBLES, ART & CRAFTS
Registration is open at the Finney County Historical Society for individuals and organizations interested in operating booths at the Eighth Annual Flea Market Festival of Antiques, Collectibles, Art and Crafts, which is set for 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 8 outside the Finney County Museum in Garden City’s Lee Richardson Zoo.
The event is a fund-raising endeavor for the museum’s programs and exhibits, and last year’s gathering of merchants, crafts people and artisans drew more than 4,300 summertime shoppers, who strolled in sun and shade to visit 60 booths set up by vendors from across Southwest Kansas and beyond. Many also took home goods from a bargain-priced sale of gently used items on the museum’s courtyard.
Backed in part by the Finney County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, the 2017 market promises even greater variety, with spaces already being reserved to offer antiques, crafts, purses, collectibles, tools, glassware, cookie jars, lemonade, household items, health products and additional items. Vendors with dolls, embroidery, jewelry, children’s books, quilts, crocheted goods, pickles, canned goods, furniture and other products and services are expected too, along with Scentsy, Pampered Chef, Tupperware, Thirty-One Bags and Perfectly Posh products.
“We’re accepting booth reservations and we’re also accepting donated items for our patio sale,” said Steve Quakenbush, FCHS executive director. “The flea market has doubled in size in just a few years and we’ll keep registration open until 60 vendors have signed up.
Groups, organizations, businesses or individuals interested in offering antiques, collectibles, craft items, art, food, products or information may call 620-272-3664 to request a vendor registration packet. Registration is also available at the museum reception desk 1-5 p.m. weekdays or weekends; or museum offices, via the north entrance, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays. The cost for each 10-foot by 12-foot booth space is $45, or $55 for those with access to electricity.
Organizers emphasized that electrical access is limited, and that participation will be capped at 60 vendors on a first come-first served basis.
In addition to booths, the host organization will again cover the museum’s patio with donated goods to purchase, ranging from furniture, lamps, pictures, TVs, computers, toys, games, holiday decorations, camping and sports equipment to cookware, dishes, china, yard and garden objects, plus many additional items. Anyone interested in donating good used items for the flea market may call 620-272-3664 or stop by the museum. Donations should be clean, functional and in good condition for re-sale. Almost any flea market or garage sale items are welcome, with the exception of clothing, books, shoes or older-style televisions.
“Our festival is taking place for the eighth straight year and people come from all over Southwest Kansas,” the director said. Public admission is free.
The museum event is taking place in conjunction with the Jungle Run, an extensive car show on the West green of the zoo, sponsored by Friends of Lee Richardson Zoo. Parking shuttles will run between the zoo gate and the Finney County Exhibition Building lot, and an internal shuttle will run inside the zoo between the flea market and car show.
