Germantown Flea Market Returns Saturday, July 2

Per the Germantown Historical Society:
The Germantown Community Flea Market is the place to find bargains and treasures. There’s something for everyone – toys & games – fashions and footwear – antiques and collectibles, lawn mowers and bicycles. You can search for your favorite CDs or books, discover kitchen gadgets you never knew you needed,jewelry to go with your favorite outfit – all kinds of things that you just can’t live without — and all at bargain prices! And the first bargain you find is when you come in – there is no admission or parking fee.

The number of vendors varies from 50 to 150 depending on the weather. Since the markets are outdoors, weather always plays a part in the activity, but the markets are only canceled for heavy steady rain or high winds. The markets are held on the first Saturday of the month – April though November – and the cold dark early mornings of the first and last months require heavy coats, gloves and flashlights. In the summer months a rogue thunderstorm can send vendors racing to cover their goods with tarps and to seek shelter in their cars, only to pop out again like prairie dogs from their holes when the sun comes out. But that isall part of the adventure.

Vendors are charged $25 for a 10’ x10’ space and must set up before 7am and pack up at 1pm. After the overhead of insurance, port-a-john, signage and security, all the proceeds go to three local non-profit organizations – the Germantown Historical Society, the Button Farm Living History Program, and a Boy Scout Troop. The Germantown Historical Society began the Flea Markets in 1993 to raise funds. There were only about two dozen vendors at that first market

Over the years the hardy volunteers have learned plenty about running a Flea Market — from advertising to clean-up. They’ve had to deal with traffic problems, noncompliant vendors, frantic customers, lost children and trash. Is it worth it? From the three organizations comes a resounding YES! Not only do the Flea Markets raise much needed funding for facility upkeep, educational programming, historic preservation and research, it is also a lot of fun. Greeting returning vendors and patrons, talking to newcomers and long-time residents about the history of the area, searching the booths for unusual objects, hearing from a customer, “Look what I’ve found. I’ve always wanted one of these!” or listening to a local cheerleading squad enthusiastically sing out their cheers — it is all part of the pleasure and appeal of a Flea Market. Participating in a community event and providing a community service is rewarding and satisfying, but even more so if it is enjoyable as well.

The next Germantown Community Flea Market will take place on Saturday, July 2nd from 8am to 1pm at the MARC rail commuter lot at the intersection of Germantown Rd. (Rt. 118) and Bowman Mill Drive. If you want a selling space you need to get there before 7am. No reservations are needed. If you think it may be cancelled, just check the website: www.germantownMDhistory.org or Facebook: https://facebook.com/germantownmdhistory.