Colorado Springs Flea Market

The Colorado Springs Flea Market is one of my happy places. It is a huge fenced cement lot full of both storage spaces and vendors that set up camp every weekend of the year no matter what the weather. Two dollars gets you in (12 and under are free) and another $1 gets you a cart. I've been five or six times both with and without kids and it's always fun to go treasure hunting. They've got a bounce house and ferris wheel so my usual strategy with the kids is that if they're good halfway through the flea we'll go buy tickets for some bounce time and then finish the rest of the flea. I always give them a small amount to spend and they usually come home with vintage My Little Ponies and Transformers that cost fifty cents. I never have to talk them into going!

My parents used to take my brother and I to a place called Denio's Farmer's Market in Roseville, CA growing up. It was full of booths that sold just about everything-cheap plastic toys, colorful sunglasses, pinatas, Mexican blankets, bouquets of flowers, blankets with wolves and dolphins on them, tacky velvet paintings, colorful umbrellas, superhero toys, princess wands, and rows and rows of fresh produce. If ever there was a place to buy fresh produce it's California. I remember saving up to buy a pink skateboard, plastic slap bracelets, and pogs. Oh, pogs. This one isn't nearly the size of Denio's but I still love roaming the rows of tools, fresh produce, and toys from my childhood and I love sharing it with my kids. 

Have you ever been to a huge outdoor flea market? 

-Rachel

Comments

[Monique]

Hi! I just started following your blog. Love it. I live in Grass Valley, Ca. I've spent my fair share of time at Denios. It was fun to hear you mention! It's a small world!

[irene wibowo]

cool! ;)
Irene Wibowo

[joyce welch]

Love the photo of the cage ferris wheel. I used to ride in those at the school Halloween Carnival when I was a kid. And heck yes I have been to huge flea markets! They are the best!

[Ralizabeth]

if you're ever in jersey, you might want to check out the meadowlands flea market! They're there every Saturday regardless if the weather. Not quite as big (there's no bouncey house or Ferris wheel) but its fun, nonetheless!

[Nienke]

Those mountains in the background.. Wow! It's just fun to see a flea market with such a beautiful view! - Nienke

[Mac]

Thanks for sharing your strategy about the kiddos. Mine are only a little younger than yours and I really struggle with outings like that! I'm sure to consider your tips next time around!

[Mickey]

Small world! I live near Roseville but have never been to or heard of Denio's. My coworker was JUST telling me about it on Friday and we were talking about planning a trip there sometime soon. I'm extra excited now!

[sarah]

I used to go to a huge flea market in Colo Springs when I was little. Not sure if this is the same one, but I LOVED it. I got my first bike there - the Strawberry Sizzler.
I rarely go to flea markets here (AZ). I usually just hit up the near by garage sales or thrift stores. The other day I thought about going to the flea market here, but it's rather far.
Your pictures of those mountains has my heart missing Colorado so very much!

[Terri]

Alameda Flea is my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE! I started going about a year or two ago and now that my fiancee and I bought our first house, I get to go there with a real mission!

Thanks for sharing so many wonderful things on the blog!

xoxo
T

[joy]

The college I attended was across the street from the Orange Country Fairgrounds. There was a flea market every Saturday and Sunday when the actual fair wasn't in session. They sold all sorts of new and used stuff there! Fun and crazy!

[Meagan]

I live really close to where the Highway 127 yard sale is held.