Giant Flea Market returns to Du Quoin Fairgrounds Aug. 1
The Giant Flea Market that has graced the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds once a month for 35 years, will reopen on Sunday, Aug. 1.
The market will close for September while the Du Quoin State Fair is going on, but will return on Oct. 3 and will continue on the first Sunday of each month going forward. The flea market is held in the Exhibition Hall and the entry fee remains at $1.50.
Roger Stanley, the new manager of the market and a veteran collectibles and antiques dealer himself, said Wednesday that his goal is to keep most everything about the flea market the same as before the pandemic, except to increase its reach by advertising on social media. John Crouch, the longtime owner of flea markets in Du Quoin, Springfield and Peoria, is retiring from the business.
"Right now, we've got more than 70 vendors and 200 tables," ready for the Aug. 1 opening, Stanley said. Among them are coin dealers, vendors who deal in die-cast toys and NASCAR, crafters, antique dealers, tool vendors (Craftsman and Snap-On) and a dealer in antique fishing lures, which is "something new," Stanley says.
Most of the vendors will be recognizable to flea market regulars, but he's also signed up about 15 new ones. Vendors come from Illinois and all over the Midwest and for the most part will return each month.
Moreover, the former food vendors are returning, including the ones making the breakfasts of biscuits, gravy and sausage, Stanley added.
Stanley is happy to be reopening the flea market, which has been closed since March of 2020 due to the pandemic. He said about 700 to 1,000 people used to visit each month.
For info, visit the new Facebook site, https://www.facebook.com/DuQuoin-Flea-Market-105058411277172; call Stanley at (618) 942-7896 or email him at rstanley62948@gmail.com. The market has a new mailing address: Du Quoin Flea Market, P.O. Box 1151, Herrin, IL 62948.
• Giant Flea Market: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. the first Sunday of every month (not September), in the Expo Hall at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds. $1.50 admission. Info: See Du Quoin Flea Market on Facebook.