By Andrew Hackmack
From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., residents of the village and surrounding communities shopped, sold and just plain enjoyed a beautiful sunny day.
"We're usually pretty good with the weather here," said Dave Basile, co-chairman of the event. He added the flea market is an event that comes with great anticipation as many of the vendors return year after year.
Basile said one of the biggest draws to the event is the pumpkin said. Many people wait until the Lions Club flea market to buy their bright orange jack-o-lantern, he said, estimating they started out the day with about 250 pumpkins.
Co-chair Guy Barbaro, a six-time president of the Lions Club, said this event is the largest fundraiser of the year. Service activities throughout the year including assisting local food pantries, providing turkeys to needy families at Thanksgiving and Christmas, helping people get glasses and hearing aids, and a dance for the visually impaired.
Barbaro said each vendor pays a $35 booth rental fee. "We give you two parking spaces," he said.
Debbie McDougall was in her third year as a vendor. She was selling key lime pie, pumpkin bread and banana bread, all homemade.
"I like the fact that it is a hometown event," she said. "You get to see a lot of friendly faces."
Her booth neighbor was Susan Kaye, selling various craft items for Christmas, Halloween and babies. She sold several of her homemade wreathes and by 1 p.m. had already made back her booth fee and more.
Kaye credits the Lions Club for putting on a well-organized and well-attended event. "They do a wonderful job every year," she said.
Michael and Dawn Symes of Far Rockaway heard about the flea market just last week from a customer at their own garage sale. They signed up and said they were very happy with their decision to take part in the Lions Club event.
"It couldn't be any better," Michael Symes said.
Members of the Lions Club spent the afternoon grilling hamburgers and hot dogs for those who wanted to grab a bite to eat while doing their bargain shopping. Overall, Barbaro was very happy with how they day went.
"We got a great turnout today," he said.
Photos by Andrew Hackmack/Herald
