Happy people and four-legged passengers

Two weeks ago I left the office just before 8 a.m. for the opportunity to soak up some brilliant morning sun.

No, I wasn’t lounging on a lawn chair with a good book and a glass of iced tea (although that sounds pretty nice!)

I was standing on pavement at the Shipshewana Flea Market main entrance with a handful of parking tickets and a bottle of water.

But that’s OK. Between the constant stream of happy people and the four-legged passengers eagerly sticking their heads out the windows to greet me (Yes, we DO allow pets that are leashed ), I was mostly having a good time.

A few times it was a bit challenging, like when I covered two lines of cars, answered questions and tried to coordinate a golf cart ride for a couple of ladies who needed transportation back to their car (Yes, we provide that, too!) all at the same time. Whew!

The time passed quickly, though, and before I knew it my experience as a parking attendant had come to an end and it was back to the office for me.

It’s good to step in someone else’s shoes once in a while, and I’m glad I had the opportunity to fill in and meet the good people who come out to enjoy the flea market!

We stopped collecting for parking the day after Labor Day, so if you come now until the end of the season (October 31), you can enjoy free parking and hopefully cooler weather.  And with fall approaching, the flea market is an ideal place to pick up some apples, mums and fall décor.

Hope to see you soon!

From kicking and screaming to “Half-Stitched” and happy …

It’s not often we get a celebrity around here. And if we do, I’ve never seen one.

But a few days ago we had a New York Times best-selling author in our flea market. Yes, for real.

Wanda E. Brunstetter, known for writing compelling novels centered on the Amish life, took the time to visit us at one of our discount book sellers. And she was selling and signing copies of her new book, “The Half-Stitched Quilting Club,” at a bargain Shipshewana Flea Market price!

I admit it. I was not familiar with her writing, but the novel intrigued me. So when I heard the Blue Gate Theater here in Shipshewana was debuting a musical adaptation, “Half-Stitched,” I just had to check it out.

I practically dragged my impromptu “date,” my 14-yr-old son, kicking and screaming with me (“Really, Mom, a play? That’s torture!”)

He received lots of well-intentioned sympathy, from the friendly greeter at the door, “Did your mom drag you here?” to the older gentleman seated next to us, “Don’t feel bad … my wife dragged me here, too!” So my son finally relaxed and even cracked a smile.

I smiled, too, because I just knew something good would come out of his “torture!”

Turns out I was right.

From the moment the curtains opened we were captivated. We laughed and applauded the amazing talent of the cast. And the audience filled with people from California to Canada to Mississippi laughed too.

I can’t speak for anyone else but I was so excited about this musical. Guess my son was excited, too, because he practically dragged me to the line to meet the cast. I kept thinking I wanted to meet Wanda E. Brunstetter, the brilliant author who created the story.

The author who brought her celebrity status to our flea market, situated in a successful community that embraces the simpler life that inspires her books.

A community that maintains its small town integrity amidst a popularity that exposes travelers from all over the country to what we who live and work here already know:

Shipshewana can’t really be explained. It must be experienced.

And it’s an experience that draws even a New York Times best-selling author.

 

 

There’s still a lot of summer shopping left …

So it’s Back to School time again for students, teachers, bus drivers and school employees …. 

Some are already there and for others it’s just around the corner. Wow… where does the time go, anyway? Seems just like yesterday school was out and summer was in!

Though the summer may be wrapping up for some, there’s still a lot of summer shopping left here at the Trading Place.

The Antique Gallery across the street continues to have an impressive selection of antiques and special pieces to complete your collection. They’re open 9am-6pm Monday through Saturday through the end of September and 10am-5pm October through April.

 

The Antique Auction is still going strong every Wednesday at 9am, year-round. Come on out and discover those unique items you may not be able to find anywhere else.

Vendors at the flea market will continue to offer their wares 8am to 5pm every Tuesday and Wednesday through the end of October. And even if you are in school now, you can visit the Flea Market one last time on Labor Day (Sept. 3) for our Extended Flea Market, Sept. 3-5.

 

 

Still got the camping urge?

We can help with that, too.

Our RV Park is open through November 15!

Don’t let the weather stop you …

So the much needed (even if somewhat sporadic) rainfall lately has brought some welcome relief, I think, to all who have been experiencing this drought.

But it brings a lot of calls to our main office from people wondering if the flea market is open or closed.

So here’s the scoop…

Unless there is a tornado or severe storm with lightning, we will be open.

     Rain or shine…

So if you’ve got a good 

come on out and beat the crowds. Because, really, if you can brave the emptying clouds, the Flea Market is something fun to do on a rainy day.

Come celebrate with us!

The sun is shining and it’s warming up fast, so if you always wanted to visit the Flea Market on a Monday, today is your opportunity.

Due to the 4^th of July, we have an Extended Flea Market this week. We’re open today through Wednesday, 8am to 5pm.

If you want to beat the rush, today is a good day. We’re expecting big crowds tomorrow and Wednesday.

The Carry Out buildings and the homemade ice cream vendor near the info booth are working overtime today for some cool relief.

The Shipshewana Auction Restaurant is also open and ready to provide some cool relief with a good meal and fresh pie!

Hope to see you here!

 

Some Memorial Day fun!

The Flea Market will be open Monday for Memorial Day!

So if you’ve returned from your Memorial Day ceremonies or just need something different and fun to do, stop in and experience all the interesting and colorful merchandise. And plenty of vendors are offering a colorful variety of beautiful plants for your flower beds or landscaping.

Also, don’t forget the array of delicious food offered at the Carry Out buildings, Auction Restaurant and food vendors!

The weatherman is forecasting high 80s for Memorial Day so come prepared and maybe cool down with some homemade ice cream freshly churned right on the flea market grounds (near the Main entrance).

Come check it out!

We made the Top Ten!

It’s always exciting when you’re appreciated so much you make a top ten list!

So we’re excited to share with you that Shipshewana Flea Market has been voted #9 on VisitIndiana.com’s Top Ten Must-See Indiana Summer Gotta-Dos. http://www.in.gov/visitindiana/best-of-indiana/top-ten-lists.

Not too shabby!

Guess that’s why so many have taken advantage of the absolutely gorgeous weather in Shipshewana today to make the trip to the Flea Market. Numerous shoppers and several tour buses are experiencing the hundreds of vendor booths to browse and all the mouth-watering food to eat.

So come on out and see what all the fuss is about. Bring your family and friends (including your four-legged ones).

All that’s missing at the Flea Market now is you!

It’s finally here …

Things are really buzzing around here!

Tomorrow is Opening Day for the Shipshewana Flea Market and vendors are busy setting up their displays. Our staff is also busy with preparations to make sure your visit here is an enjoyable one. We have enhanced some areas of the Flea Market and hope you are as excited about them as we are. We’re also hoping for cooperative weather!

This Friday and Saturday brings May Fest, an annual Shipshewana town celebration. Every year we participate in the Saturday parade which showcases bands, floats, and many beautiful horses. Come out and check out our Trading Place float entry and you can also enjoy food, music, buggy races, family games and lots of other entertainment.

Also on Saturday from 8 to 4, held in conjunction with May Fest, is the Land and Lakes Garden Show featuring vendors of garden items, art, recycled and earth friendly products and antiques. Vendors will be set up in our new pavilion on the front lawn of the Antique Gallery.

So come on out and join the excitement!

May Flowers

Wow… it’s almost May already.

I’m thinking May flowers … and there definitely will be a lot of flowers springing up here in Shipshewana!

Our Shipshewana Flea Market opens May 1 and will offer a beautiful array of flowers and plants. Several people have already called asking about them. And since many come to the flea market especially for the flowers, I can’t wait to see what this year brings!

We also have quite a few flowers springing up in our office! We are working among a “field” of brightly colored flowers in preparation for our float entry in the May Fest parade, a yearly event that’s part of the festivities of May Fest, Shipshewana’s town festival the first Friday and Saturday in May. This year’s parade theme is “The Colors of Spring,” so it’s sure to bring many interesting and beautiful floats for Saturday’s parade.

Finally, if you can’t make it to the Flea Market opening days or the Shipshewana May Fest, there’s still plenty of time to view the upcoming Quilt Gardens tour beginning May 30. Nineteen supersized quilt-inspired gardens among 7 communities are sure to inspire and present beautiful blooms.

The Farmstead Inn is filling up, so make sure you get your reservation in soon for these upcoming events.

Countdown to the Flea Market!

The calls have been coming in from anxious shoppers and tourists wanting to know when the Shipshewana Flea Market opens this year.

We’re excited to tell you opening day is just 28 days away … May 1!

Until then, we are working hard to get everything prepared for your visit. And this year, we’re making new changes to our rest areas.

 

 

 

 

 

We’re confident you will find them even better and more useful than before.

On the other side of the street, contractors are working hard to complete our new Pavilion by the first week of May.

Today they laid the cement and are continuing to frame it.

 

Stayed tuned for more updates.

 

And don’t fret … May 1 is just around the corner!