Community Corner
Army of Volunteers Prepare for St. Teresa of Avila Flea Market
See what's for sale this year as Patch takes you inside for a sneak peek!
Sorting operations are in the final stages for the annual flea market.
The flea market, which begins Saturday, Aug. 18, kicks off the. Both events are in their 45th year.
"This has to be the biggest year for donations...ever," said festival committee member and volunteer, Connie Stewart. "The church hall is bursting at the seams, we even had to set up a tent outside to handle the overflow of larger items."
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The flea market is held in Schoppol Hall, below the church. The hall is transformed into a giant shopping mall of sorts, with dozens of categories of items, everything from antiques and collectibles, to baby items, books, linens, holiday items, electronics, jewelry, sporting goods, furniture, toys and more.
Going to the flea market? Show us what you bought by uploading your pictures. Just click on the upload tab below the photos already attached to this story.Hundreds of volunteers have spent countless hours since early last month unpacking, sorting and pricing the items. Each item is inspected to make sure it's in good condition, and in the case of electrical appliances or lamps, that it is in good working order. The church stopped accepting donations on Aug. 8.
Find out what's happening in North Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
"We could NOT do this without the help of the volunteers,” said Stewart. “It would be physically impossible. The time they give is invaluable."
While the doors are open each night during the festival, the largest crowd come on flea market Saturday, where people begin lining up at 6 a.m. The doors open at 9 a.m.
"It's amazing, the generosity of the general public. Our donation curb is filled every night," said Stewart. "All of the proceeds from the flea market go to help St Teresa's school. You'd be surprised how all of those quarter-priced items can add up!"
The flea market is set for Saturday Aug. 18 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. It will also be open after all masses on Saturday and Sunday, each night of the church festival, which runs Monday Aug. 20 to Saturday Aug. 25.
Admission is free. Cash and checks are accepted, but no credit or debit cards.
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