NEWS RELEASE
April 30, 2016
For use: Immediate
Finney County Historical Society
Contact: Steve Quakenbush, 620-272-3664
REGISTRATION OPEN FOR FLEA MARKET FESTIVAL OF ANTIQUES, COLLECTIBLES, ART & CRAFTS
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 nearly 4,000 summertime shoppers, who strolled in sun and shade to visit 57 booth spaces 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 2016 market promises even greater variety, with more than 20 spaces already booked to offer purses, woodcrafts, antiques, collectibles, tools, glassware, household items, dolls, embroidery, jewelry, crafted crosses, children’s books, outdoor furniture, quilts, crocheted goods and jellies; as well as homemade pie and ice cream from Copeland baker Londa Koehn, plus Kettle Corn, beverages, fruit kabobs and frozen treats from Kelley’s Festival Foods. There will also be booths 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 over two years, and right now registration is running ahead of where it was in 2015.”
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 $38, or $48 for those with access to electricity. Electrical spaces are limited.
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 or shoes.
“Our festival is taking place for the seventh straight year and it is Garden City’s original, established open market in Finnup Park,” the director said. “People come from all over Southwest Kansas.” Public admission is free.
The museum event this year is taking place the same day as the Jungle Run Revival, a 50-vehicle 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.
