Tag Archives: Flea Markets

Taking It To The Trunk

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“Nothing haunts us like the antiques we didn’t buy.”

-Anonymous

At least once during the summer and sometimes once in the fall, we head on over to the Elephant’s Trunk Flea Market in New Milford, CT. Today, however, many vendors were missing. Of course, this could be due to people vacationing or maybe the number of vendors is diminishing. I can’t answer that question but I was thinking about it.

Even with the missing vendors, we still had a huge amount of items to look at. One of the nice things about The Elephant’s Trunk is that you get to know the vendors and what they sell. If you get to know the people, it seems they are more likely to make deals with you. I am sure that they will make deals anyway, but it is a nice thought.

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By 8 am people are already leaving with the things that they have bought. At the same time, people are also arriving. Today, it was already over 70 degrees when we got there at 7 am.

 

I love the area surrounding the Elephant’s Trunk. Many flea markets are dropped in the middle of a vast open space and lack any definable character. The Elephant’s Trunk, however, has a beautiful wooded area behind it. Obviously, at this time of year and with the amount of rain that we have had, the trees are an incredibly lush green. In the fall, the colors are spectacular.

The empty areas seen here are usually occupied by vendors.

 

Of course, what would a flea market be without food vendors? My daughter had a sausage egg and cheese from this guy and she said it was outstanding! They also had a bakery where we bought some apple cider donuts which were really good as well. I do apologize, but I don’t have any picture of the food. I ate the donut too quickly so preserving it in a photograph was not possible.

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One of the more unique finds for me today was this poster announcing Jerry Garcia’s Fall 1989 tour. Unfortunately, the vendor wanted way too much and he wouldn’t come down in price. Sure, it would have been nice to have, but that’s cool.

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Overall it was another successful trip to the Elephant’s Trunk and I am pretty sure that I will be returning sooner rather than later to see what else they have.

Return To Stormville

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“When I go to a country, I go to flea markets, antique stores. I am always looking for something.”

-Ursula Andress

Wow!!!! What a beautiful day in the Hudson Valley. Today was day one for the flea market in Stormville, New York and that where we were headed at 7:00 am. Nice and cool at 55 degrees, a stiff wind was blowing that made it feel almost like a fall day. But the sun was out and the light coats that many people had were quickly taken off and packed away. As I made my way up and down the aisles I encountered many familiar faces, but the names associated with the faces escaped me.

Very early Saturday morning.

As the sun rose, more and more people flooded into the parking lot and descended on the market, dragging the wagons they brought with them to carry away whatever prizes they may find.

Vendors setting up for the day.

The most interesting thing about this flea market is the way that it is split up. All of the way in the back are a couple of rows of stocked with sneakers, socks, flags, incense, birdhouses, you name it, they’ve got it.

Moving up the rows, you find vendor after vendor with all kinds of antiques.

Food and drink vendors.

And finally, pretty near the entrance, you will find all of the different food vendors. All incredibly overpriced. Overall, the Stormville Flea Market is pretty cool with lots of different “stuff” for every kind of collector.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Return To The Elephant’s Trunk

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“Collect things that you love, that are authentic to you and your house becomes your story.”

-Erin Fleet

Today marked our first (but hopefully not last) trip to the Elephant’s Trunk Flea Market in New Milford, CT this season. As always, the vendors were out with everything from the collectible to the wonderfully eccentric. Here are some pictures of the morning:

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Just after we arrived at 7:15 am…

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My best purchase of the day, a milk can.

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Contrary to what my wife thinks, I believe that this would have looked awesome in our back yard!

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The end of the morning.

Elephant Trunk

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If it is a Sunday in July, then it must be time for another visit to the Elephant Trunk Flea Market. Today’s weather was beautiful and although we weren’t looking for anything in particular, it is always nice to see what people have. And, you never what you are going to come home with!

I couldn’t resist  starting the photographs off with this one. Every one of you with a teenager can relate to what it is saying!

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I love this!!!

As with every flea market, each of the vendors display an incredible array of items that are usually a reflection of themselves and what they like to collect (and are willing to part with).

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Opening Day at the Elephant’s Trunk

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“I never knew whether I was drawn to eccentric people or if they were drawn to me.”
―Dean Koontz

“I think what people call “weird” comes part and parcel with people who are brilliant in some way. So embrace your weird. Embrace your eccentricity.”
― Eileen Anglin

“I find only freedom in the realms of eccentricity.”

-David Bowie

For all of you who love flea markets, the Elephant’s Trunk Flea Market in New Milford, CT opened its season on 4/9/17. As you would expect, vendors were out in force selling a wide variety of  goods from the mundane to the deliciously eccentric. Flea markets, especially this one,  are truly a showcase for those who won’t be selling their creations at IKEA any time soon. When you see some of the more odd things that are being sold, you are guaranteed that the people behind the creations also have a story to tell. Fascinating creations being sold by equally as fascinating people. Here are pictures of some of the more interesting things I saw on Sunday.

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The Elephant’s Trunk Flea Market is open every Sunday from 7:00 am-2:00 pm and is located at 490 Danbury Rd, New Milford, CT 06776 (www.etflea.com) If you are ever in the area and enjoy flea markets, take the time to visit this one.

A Quiet Sunday Morning at the Elephant’s Trunk

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Forty minutes from where I live in Mahopac, NY is probably one of the best flea markets in New England. Every Sunday from 7 am to 2 pm, the Elephant’s Trunk Flea Market opens its gates in New Milford, CT to every type of collector and flea market aficionado  in the area. You can find everything from the eccentric to the eclectic and everything in between.

The Elephant Trunk started in 1976 in New Milford and at the time, having 15 vendors was considered a good turnout. Now, they say up to 500 vendors show up to sell their wares on any given Sunday and also have numerous food trucks on the premises.

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Driving up to the entrance at just about 7:20 am, the traffic flowed nicely as the people directing you into the parking area made sure that they got you situated pretty quickly despite the large number of cars coming off of the main drag. Even with the heavy traffic, the guys directing you were incredibly friendly. As we walked up to the main gate the odor of frying bacon filled the air and I was truly surprised at the number of people already bringing purchases out to their cars. As with the gentleman directing the traffic, the folks working at the main gate warmly welcomed us and were equally as friendly.

Our technique for getting around any flea market is a simple one. We start at the first row and move down it, carefully surveying each of the spaces on both sides of the row. One of the things that I don’t mind about this (and many others) is that they don’t categorize the areas. You can literally find some eccentric art in one space and collectible toys in the one right next to it. IMG_8301

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One of the best things that I have found about all flea markets and especially this one,  is that the vendors are more than willing to let you bargain with them to come to a mutually agreed upon selling price. I didn’t find one person who wasn’t at least willing to entertain a lower price than what they were originally asking.

On this particular Sunday morning we spent the better part of three hours traversing the acres upon acres of everything conceivable that a collector could want.

Here are some pictures of some of the more interesting items that I came across:

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Awesome collection of vinyl and the owner was super cool!

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And finally…

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So, if you have nothing to do on a Sunday morning over the course of the next several months, you should definitely take a trip to the Elephant’s Trunk, you won’t regret it!