The license plates in the landing-strips-turned-parking lot best tell the story of this event's widespread appeal: New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Vermont are all represented.

The airport is seemingly no longer used for its original purpose; the runways are merely dirt paths, surrounded by acres of grass that are freshly mowed before each market. There are no planes in site, no control tower. It is an offbeat venue for an offbeat event.

The Flea Market derives its quirk quotient from the vast array of merchandise available from several rows of booths, stalls, tables, and the backs of trucks. Officially, sixty percent of the dealers are antiques vendors; while the other forty percent offer up new merchandise of every type imaginable.

I wish I had the day to stroll the aisles of antiques, but alas, we are carting an impatient five-year-old in his wagon, and he wants to get to the Kettle Corn stand as soon as possible. I could only cast quick glances among the vintage housewares, Hummel figurines and all manner of collectibles, antique furniture and pleasing junktiques, such as rust-laden tools, comic books and albums, and the ubiquitous beer signs.

Once we're among the aisles of new merchandise, I slowed down as my son munched his freshly-popped snack. On our right, is a Tupperware dealer. On our left, a jewelry designer with some beautiful silver pieces. Further down the line, we see clothing, pillows and linens, cosmetics, suitcases, silk flower arrangements, and Betty Boop paraphernalia.

My husband notices a tool merchant with power drills and electric generators. We're in the market for a generator, but do we really want to buy an expensive piece of equipment like this off a folding table from a vendor we may never see again? We walk on.

Being from the neighboring town, it's not unusual for us to run into people we know at the Flea Market. Today, we happen upon my son's teacher and her husband. I ask her if she has a system for shopping the Flea Market. Does she come prepared with a list, as I tend to do? No, she leaves it to Fate. "You just never know what you'll find here," she says, as she pushes her vertical shopping cart down dusty Aisle RW.

Today's catch is somewhat disappointing. The decorative garden stakes I saw in April, and planned to come back for, are no longer there; the vendor has moved on to his Halloween merchandise. All we have to show for rising early is some bubble bath, two pairs of sunglasses, and duct tape. Happily, I did score five vintage postcards of New York City (e.g. Ellis Island, circa 1940), and they will make their way into black frames on the wall in our front foyer.

We didn't stay long enough for lunch, but there was plenty of mouth-watering food. There is a typical assortment of "fair fare" -- fried dough, sausage and peppers, curly fries, as well as taco salads, chicken burritos, smoothies, Italian ices and lemonade. Although I didn't see it, I was told that a beer stand has been added recently, offering a place for the tired, thirsty to sit and keep guard over their loved ones' packages.

Generally, the first Flea Market of the season takes place the last weekend of April. But the can't miss Flea Market takes place Memorial Day weekend; rumor has it that this is the largest of the year. The season continues to early November. The Calendar is posted to the web site, Stormville Flea Market, before the end of the year. These dates will be the first to fill the framework of my summer Day Planner.

When planning a trip to the Flea Market, remember to stop at the ATM. While some vendors accept plastic, checks are usually frowned upon, and cash is king. These events take place rain or shine, from dawn to dusk. There are no parking or admission charges. Pets are not allowed. Directions are available on the web site, or by calling (845) 221- 6561.

Growing up on assignment in the Middle East created a ceaseless cultural curiosity that permeates Traci Suppa's writing. Travel is her passion, but when time or finances don't permit, gardening, decorating, cooking and other creative outlets fill the void. A part-time PR / Marketing position for a tourism office in New York State, as well as her NATJA membership, keep Traci up-to-date on travel industry happenings. Contact the author at tsuppa@optonline.net.

© 2005

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