The Valley Stream Lions Club will host its 30th annual flea market on Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the A.J. Hendrickson Pool parking lot, on Merrick Road.
Admission is free, and in the event of rain, the event will be rescheduled for the following day.
The flea market has become one of Valley Stream’s most popular annual gatherings, attracting hundreds of shoppers and more than 100 vendors each year. This year’s offerings will include antiques, collectibles, tools, jewelry, toys, flowers, perfume, medical supplies, arts and crafts, household items, clothing, food and more.
Beyond shopping, the day will feature music and a variety of attractions, making it both a marketplace and community festival.
Club members introduced the flea market to the community 30 years ago as a way to connect residents while supporting charitable initiatives.
“People look forward to it every year,” V.S. Lion’s Club 2nd Vice President David Basile said. “It’s not only Valley Streamers who come to the event, the people from Nassau, Suffolk, from over the city borderline, they come down and they enjoy the event because it’s established, and we’ve been doing it for such a long time.
“Every year, it changes a little bit because folks retire or get out of it,” he continued. “So, you find you have some new blood, and people look forward to showing their wares, and people look forward to coming and buying, because everybody is a treasure hunter at heart.”
Proceeds from vendor fees and sales at the club’s own “treasure tables” are directed entirely to charitable work. In recent years, the V.S. Lions have supported local food pantries at Blessed Sacrament and Holy Name of Mary, as well as Catholic Charities and other organizations. The club also donates regularly to a range of Valley Stream programs, including the Anchor Program Fund, Sunrise Day Camp, the Waldinger Library, Holy Name of Mary Outreach Program, Blessed Sacrament Family Services, Little League, the Auxiliary Police, the Fire Department, the Civilian Patrol, Eagle Scouts, New Horizon Counseling Center, the Historical Society and the Beautification Committee.
Over the years, the flea market has changed while retaining its original spirit. Earlier events reflected the club’s larger membership at the time, with barbecue pits and expanded setups. Today, food trucks and an ice cream vendor provide refreshments, and the vendor mix evolves annually as new residents and small businesses join. The variety has helped the market remain fresh, offering a range of antiques, crafts, clothing, collectibles and more.
The V.S. Lions Club sees the flea market as more than a fundraiser. It is a way to remain visible in the community, to share the club’s mission, and to invite others who may be interested in service to learn more.
“The Lions were a popular group and part of Valley Stream itself, and that’s what they should be,” Basile said. “And you get to show people who are like-minded and who want to give back to their community. Maybe they would like to be a Lion member and such like that. And we could explain to them what we do and what we’re about.”
Founded in 1948, the Valley Stream Lions Club has been part of the community for 77 years. The flea market remains the club’s signature event, but its service extends throughout the year. Initiatives include eyeglass collections, vision screenings, eye care assistance, hearing aid support, food drives, scholarships, and youth mentoring. These programs align with the international mission of the Lions Clubs, the world’s largest service club organization, with more than 1.4 million members in 46,000 clubs worldwide.
As the club marks three decades of hosting this event, the flea market continues to embody the Lions’ guiding motto: “We Serve.” It reflects both the organization’s enduring history in Valley Stream and its ongoing commitment to addressing local needs while remaining part of a global service network.
