Get Ready to Rummage, It’s Flea Market Season!
By Cherie Ronayne

Flea Markets are mad fun and the perfect summer outing whether you’re with friends, family, or that special someone (fleas are heavy on that ever-illusive coolness factor, they provide lots of roaming around time for holding hands, and they give you the opportunity to be the hero or heroine if you can haggle down the price of that little trinket that your date has been eyeballing!) ~ or even in the mood to spend some time alone (in a crowd!) poking around for the perfect gift to give yourself (and why not, you deserve it!). But to properly enjoy all that is the flea market experience, you’ve got to be willing to do some prep work. Now, not to worry, it’s nothing major, no forms to fill out, stretching to be done, or special equipment to be purchased…this preparation is FUN! We’ve compiled some important tips, but first, an overall note about flea market items: Remember to think outside of the box when wandering around looking at stuff. The beauty of flea market purchases is that they are unusual in either the way you decide to use them or simply for what they are. Some of the coolest decorating schemes have come from one awesome flea market find that has been turned into the focal point of the whole room (or a whole name brand, like Shabby Chic!). And be open to using common items for an entirely different purpose: an old watering can might make a unique blow dryer/brush holder in your bathroom, for example. Even if you aren’t “crafty” or creative, try to picture the item w/a fresh coat of paint or a new fabric covering (you’ll be amazed at what you can do with a glue gun and a few scraps of material ~ you’ll be the MacGyver of the arts-n-crafts world before you know it!).

First things first: Bring cash! There’s often both a charge to park and an entrance fee. Smaller dealers often don’t do credit cards so you’re S.O.O.L. if you hand over the old MC/Visa/Amex and they can’t process it. And since you don’t usually find an ATM in the middle of a field, well, hit the Coinstar machine at the market, shake out your sofa cushions, do what ya gotta do…

Second: Dress for walking around ~ We’re talkin’ spring and summer in New England here, so wear comfy shoes or sneaks that can get muddy or grass-stained…or (most likely) both. Flea markets have everything from refined China settings to used car parts, so chances are you’re going to be getting’ dirty. I suggest making that mani/pedi appointment for the day AFTER, not before. Oh, and no matter what you wear, make sure to throw on some sunscreen. A nice, healthy, post-flea market glow at your neighbor’s Bar-B-Q later that night is great…looking like you were the one Bar-B-Q is not.

Third: Don’t take Fido (and I mean the actual canine, not the husband or boyfriend you’ve put in the doghouse for the weekend!). Most flea markets don’t allow animals because of the liability and ~ seriously ~ how well can you expect your best fur friend to behave in the midst of lots of new people, yummy smells, and a giant field that’s just PERFECT for digging in and rolling around on? And you never, ever want to leave him in the car if you get there and find out he’s not allowed in ~ Temperatures inside a car on a warm day can reach a fatal 130 degrees really fast, so for everyone’s sake, leave puppy at home.

Fourth: Take along a couple of strong (and hey, why not make them cute, too, if you’re a female!) friends, preferably owners of a pick-up or an SUV if you’re looking for large and/or furniture items. Absolutely promise and deliver beer when they get you and your new antique bureau (alright, for you guys, when you get that great foosball table) home. 99.9% of the time it’s up to you, not the item’s seller, to cart your find home ~ and usually dealers won’t even allow the sold item to linger at their booth for more than an hour after purchase…so even if you have to promise really GOOD beer, git ‘er done…fast.

Fifth: Be prepared to bargain…and don’t be shy. Some sellers love to haggle and others simply will not do it ~ and believe me, you’ll know right away who falls into which category. Never start with the price you really want to pay ~ start low and work your way towards it. And if you hold out until the end of the day, you’re likely to get a much better deal because sellers don’t want to pack up all of their unsold stuff. If your date is gorgeous and the dealer is the opposite sex, let him/her start the bargaining ~ even if you have to walk away for them to have better “one on one” time (hey, all’s fair in love and bargaining!).

Sixth: Food and drink are standard Flea Fare ~ hot dogs, fried dough, ice cream, soda abound ~ but sometimes it’s not a bad idea to pack a picnic just in case you’re in the mood for something more substantial. No, you don’t have to haul around a gingham-covered picnic basket all day, just fill a cooler with yummies and throw it into the back of the car, maybe sneaking just an energy bar or piece of fruit (is that a banana in your pocket or are you just happy to be at the flea market!) into your purse/pocket. Carry a water bottle since most flea markets are pretty spread out and beverages can be a long walk away. This isn’t a style competition, so if you’re afraid you’ll look geeky with your water bottle, just remember that SOME people will be sportin’ fanny-packs…that kind of puts it all in perspective now, doesn’t it?!

Seventh: Bring a cute tote bag or a manly backpack with you. Nothing is a worse buzzkill to your flea marketing experience than having to schlep around a whole bunch of little items in your bare hands (or worse, having to schlep around your companion’s whole bunch of little items). Uh-uh. So ladies, break out that adorable oversized bag that goes just perfectly with your adorable head band. And guys, well, just bring a big backpack.

Alright, now you’re armed with almost all the information you’ll need to become a true flea aficionado. Are you starting to get a sense of the wonders that await you? Unique jewelry, crazy, one-of-a-kind retro stuff, car parts, artwork, clothing, leather goods (OK, get your minds out of the gutter!), furniture, lighting…the whole nine yards, everything plus the kitchen sink…you get the idea! So before you head out this summer, there’s just one more bit of info you need ~ where to find some of the best flea markets around!

Lancaster Flea Market, 1340 Lunenburg Road. Lancaster -exit 35 off Rte 2 (Sundays only) 8am-5pm. 866-400-2532, Adm. $2 kids under 12 free. Antiques, collectibles, new & used merchandise, clothing, crafts, books, furniture, toys, jewelry and stamps/coins. 60,000 sq. feet on a 70 acre lot.  Over 300 booths inside the air conditioned market as well as over 200 tables outside. Open year round.  E-Mail: tom@lancasterfleamarket.com Website: www.lancasterfleamarket.com

Grafton Flea Market (Sundays only) Route 140. Grafton-Upton town line. Hours 6am-5pm. Admission charge. Ample parking. Approximately 200 dealers. 24th year of operation. Wide variety of antiques & collectibles, some crafts, new merchandise and produce. Market has a special collector section, coins, stamps, cards, etc. Snack bar, restrooms, h/a. Indoor/outdoor market. Space from $25. Seasonal market held March-December. c/p Harry Peters, Box 206. 01519. (508) 839-2217.

Rietta Flea Market. (often called Rietta Ranch). 183 Gardner Road. Route 68, Hubbardston (Sundays only) April through October, rain or shine. Starts at 6am until the vendors clear out (between 2-3pm). Ample parking. Approximately 500 dealers. Market is strong on antiques, collectibles and decorator items. Good variety of food here, bar, restrooms, h/a. Clean, well-run market with good family atmosphere. Space from $20. Restaurant, snack bars, restrooms, h/a. c/p Ronald Levesque, Box 35, 02048. (978) 632-0559.

The Brimfield Flea Market (America’s oldest outdoor antique market). May 9-14, July 11- 16, Sept 5-10, Route 20, Brimfield, MA (413) 245-9556. Multiple vendors spread out along Rte. 20/Palmer Rd./Main St. An antique and collectibles lover’s paradise ~ Amazing antiques, collectibles, jewelry, vintage clothing, pottery, cast iron, glass and china, instruments, etc. www.journalofantiques.com/briminfo.htm, (and check out the Brimfield Antique Show at www.brimfieldshow.com/).

Douglas Flea Market. N.E. Main Street, Uxbridge (Sundays only). Open 9am-4pm. Free parking and admission. Approximately 250 daily attendance. New merchandise, baseball cards, collectibles, antiques, bake shop and caterer on premises. Good market for the dealer, collector or decorator to shop. Clean restrooms. Country Atmosphere. Indoor/outdoor market. Contact Marlene Alsop Bosma. 01516. (508) 278-6027.

Charlton Flea Market. Trolley Crossing at the jct. of Rtes 20 & 31S, open every Saturday & Sunday; Sat 7am-3pm; Sun 7am-4pm. Over 100 vendors selling antiques, collectibles, crafts, clothing, jewelry, stamps & coins, books, furniture, toys, new merchandise and used merchandise. Contact Al Peters at E-Mail: charltonflea@aol.com Website: www.charltonflea.com

Four Seasons Flea Market. 38 Spruce St, Leominster, Every Sat & Sun year ‘round. 8:30am-4pm; except in July and August, 10am-4pm. Indoor market with 30 dealers in summer and 80-90 in winter selling antiques, collectibles, new & used merchandise, furniture. 978.534.3890 or 800.926.9997

Mr. Billy Bishop, General Manager of the Lancaster Flea Market, offers
insider tips and tidbits

Flea markets are for everyone ~ they draw younger shoppers looking to furnish their first apartment, families wanting a day of fun, serious collectors looking for rare and valuable items, and plenty of bargain shoppers looking for some great deals.

Be sure to take the time to look at as much merchandise as possible.

Whether you are a serious collector or just here to enjoy the fleamarket atmosphere, you are guaranteed to see something that will spark your interest or memory ~ possibly your favorite childhood toy or piece of furniture similar to one you used to have in your first apartment.

People find real treasures here every week. A special find is always a cause for excitement ~ customers as well as vendors will rush up to the counter and proudly show off their find of the day. A Civil War map was purchased at the market a year ago for under a $100 ~ and ended up being worth $1000s! And since I’m a collector myself, I’m always a little disappointed that I didn’t have time to search the market myself!