Treasure hunters be warned! This year's Dunrea Flea Market has registered approximately 130 vendors at this weekend's big event at the Boissevain Ag Grounds!
"This will probably be one of the biggest markets we've booked up to date!" says organizing committee member, and Kinsmen member, Brandt Bessant. "This is the last big outdoor flea market in the province and one that many people wait to come to!"
The Dunrea Flea Market had its start in the mid-1980's in the village of Dunrea just north-east of Boissevain.
"It was a fundraiser for their community, and it had kind of reached its end in Dunrea," explains Bessant. "The organizers were looking to pass the torch, and it was offered up to a bunch of the surrounding communities to put in a bid. It was actually Mitch Gunther and Brenda Nixon who brought it to Boissevain and asked the local Kinsman and Kinnettes at the time to kind of partner to help with labour."
Eventually they decided that it was in the best interest just to turn it over to the service organization and the rest is history. The Boissevain Kinsmen and Kinnettes have been hosting the event ever since, with proceeds raised through vendor fees and gate fees going back into the community.
The Dunrea Flea Market falls on the Sunday of the Labor Day weekend, and is held at the Boissevain Ag Grounds, filling the arena, the curling rink and the outdoor grounds with vendors that carry a wealth of goods!
"There's always something for everybody," shares Bessant. "You never know what's going to turn up. It could be as simple as you just want to come and meet friends and have lunch. There's a bunch of different people that provide food. We've got a few market gardeners. We've got a few crafters. I do know that the majority of the stuff at the market is either antiques, collectibles or vintage items. And from what I've learned, everybody collects something, and they should be able to find something at the market!"
The Dunrea Flea Market takes place:
Sunday, August 31st from 11 am-4 pm. Admission is $5 for adults. All proceeds go back into the community to support a local organization and/or project in Boissevain.
Location: Boissevain Ag Grounds - 693 Rae Street, Boissevain.
"There's one thing I'd like to add," notes Bessant. "Don't let the weather fool you!"
"The market is a go, rain or shine. It's always been one of the things that we've advertised. People get nervous when it is a one-day event and they wonder if it's been cancelled or not. It doesn't matter if it's raining or showers or bright sunny day. We will be there! The market will be open, come rain or shine!"