Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Hillsville flea market

Have you ever seen a flea market that stretches as far as the eye can see? The Labor Day weekend flea market in Hillsville, Va is the biggest spectacle I've ever encountered. Booths stretched across multiple streets in every direction. What ever you wanted you can find it here.
Over the three day period over 100,000 people were expected to attend.

To support the hundreds of vendors local residents rent out their homes to the influx of people and go somewhere else. People rent out their lawns for parking, $5 a car.

The flea market got its start as a gun show. While a gun show is still part of it, it's a small part. However lots of gun trading goes on, from dealers to private citizens. I was surprised to find someone walking the street with a rifle, but it was a common sight. Va. has open carry laws.


There were a lot of crafts for sale. Fountains made of every thing that held water were everywhere.
There were beautiful additions to a yard. I wish I could have gotten one home.


This is an ice cream engine. It's a one cylinder gasoline engine from the 30's, powering an ice cream maker. Kinda neat. Good ice cream.

And then there were the advertisements that made you go 'Huh?'

And a couple great jokes. Any guesses what's in the barrel?

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