Flea markets are fascinating to people watch at and someday we’ll figure out how they and open-air farmers markets are related.Like any public market geek, I follow the flea market news regularly and years ago, set up at a venerable old one in Ohio (Hartville for those of you in Buckeye Land). Wow, was that fascinating…. The pre-dawn culture was even more traditional than any farmers market I have watched. Of course, that market had been running for over 60 years…
It is also my honor to count among my friends, Cree McCree author of “Flea Market America” and a regular art and flea market maven here in New Orleans. (I call her Cree McCree, Godmother of Flea).

She was a prized Festivus vendor of mine (when I ran both farmers markets and a holiday fair trade market from 2002-2007 for marketumbrella.org). She is always working to find new venues and ideas to get more street vending out there.
Maybe we’ll even see a true producer-only farmers market and a criteria-based flea market in the same location with the same manager. Why not?
Their missions may be different from farmers markets, but its easy to see some similarities:
1. Many flea markets have rules about products that can be sold.This is often to keep out dangerous goods, but in any case, it speaks to the need for a manager/organizer curating the deal.
2. They have return shoppers and regular vendors.
3. There is a decidedly social air about them.
4. They attract a wide range of shoppers.

Here’s an example of one that works to engineer a total experience:

Uvalde Market Days will be open for shoppers on June 25th, 2011

It is one of the most unique open air markets in southwest Texas
June 15, 2011- Hundreds of dealers showcase their merchandize in tree shaded park. The visitors can enjoy shopping at Uvalde Market Days in the afternoons.
Visitors can enjoy music while they shop. The dealers at the market will be displaying huge variety of arts and crafts, plants, jewelry, wearable, collectibles, home décor, antiques, carpets, kitchen accessories, clothes, hats for men, women & children and lot more.
Uvalde Market Days is open for public on every fourth Saturday of the month.
It is open from 10 am to 5 pm.
It is located at:
Uvalde Plaza
Main Street And North Getty
Uvalde, Texas
Parking and admission is absolutely free.