Treasure hunters mark Sunday, September 6th on your calendars, because that’s when the Dunrea Flea Market returns.
The annual event is held each year on the Sunday of Labour Day weekend at the Boissevain Fairgrounds, drawing thousands of flea market faithfuls, garage sale goers, antique and artifact collectors and folks who just love to look at other people’s stuff.
The Dunrea Flea Market can boast to be the largest flea market in the province, filling up the Boissevain arena and curling rink and covering a huge area of the Ag grounds.
This year’s market is looking to be the largest thus far since its launch some 40 years ago. Having outgrown the village of Dunrea’s grounds, the market was moved to Boissevain back in 2010 when the Boissevain Kinsmen and Kinettes took over organizing the event. It’s been growing ever since.
The thing with vendors is it’s an ebb and flow, says Brandt Bessant, Kinsmen and event committee member.
“There’s those that retire out for multiple reasons. It could be health. It could be that they’re not interested in doing it anymore. We’ve had years where we’ve had the odd vendor pass away. But then we also get new vendors that have new ideas, new products … ” explains Bessant. “Just even the antique and collectible world, what used to sell at the market 30 years ago has now morphed into different things. We see things like toys from the 70s being quite popular, sports cards, Pyrex and things like that has kind of taken on.”
“So, the market will always be changing and I think will continue to change with the needs and the wants of people that are attending,” he adds.
Funds raised from the vendor fees and nominal gate fee is invested back into the community through the Boissevain Kinsmen and Kinette Clubs, to a specific organization or a special project.
“Nothing’s earmarked now, but this is our major fundraiser for the year for the community, and we accept requests from different other organizations and things that are projects that are going on,” explains Bessant. “And then if we don’t see enough requests, we will reach out and ask if we can help in monetary value as well.”
What’s important to note is the Dunrea Flea Market will be on whether rain or shine on this Sunday only, September the 6th from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.
“History has spoken that if you want to come early, you have to come early early (!) because the gate lines up quickly and we have a large influx of people at the 11 o’clock mark,” says Bessant. “And you know, you never know what is going to show up at the market. And then again, you never know what’s going to leave under the arm of a patron or visitor!”
