Community market draws in crowd and treasures

by Kyle Goodhue

A fundraising flea market attracted treasure hunters to Essex County Sept. 21 to 22

The flea market at the Canadian Transportation Museum and Heritage Village has been taking place twice a year for the past 25 years. Museum manager Kim Brimner says the market is one of the events that help keep the museum open.

“It is a non-profit organization, the car show and the flea market are the top shows each year. It gets us through.” said Brimner.

The market is held in July and September for two days in the village. Anyone who is interested in setting up as a vendor pays $20 for a spot on the grounds. According to Brimner “It’s first come first serve.” For a spot under the pavilion, in the front area of the village, you must book ahead and pay $45. However if you’re looking to book for only one day, the price is halved.

The market generally runs from 9 a.m to 4 a.m on both days, with an admission fee of $3 per. Brimner says the number of vendors on market days is usually consistent, and this year’s turnout looked close to last year’s fall market.

“It’s about the same, the vendor count was around the same mark, I believe I counted 65,” said Brimner. She said the weather is always a factor to consider and the chilly weather on Saturday with the chance of rain had some vendors looking to leave early, Brimner says the market will happen “rain or shine.”

Chris Carter, an author of local history books, is a frequent vendor at the market, teaching visitors about the history of the village and selling his own written work.

Carter said he has come to the flea market for the past 10 years and sets up shop in the village’s general store near the back of the market.

“Most don’t wander this far, but word gets around that the building is open so they want to come in and see,” said Carter

Despite being far from the front of the market and the attention of most visitors, Carter says he doesn’t mind if there is a shortage of visitors at the general store.

“If I didn’t make a sale I didn’t care. I was just glad to see everyone here, walking down the street and enjoying the day and just being in the village itself, like it would look like 100 years ago,” he said.

For Randy Taylor, an antique store owner and photographer, the chance to see something new or meet a new face is one of the appeals of the market. “It’s a fun time here, you get to meet a lot of people,” said Taylor “And when you get a nice day like this, it makes a big difference.”