Gallery: Upper Dublin Flea Market Attracts Array of Vendors, Customers

On a beautiful Saturday morning, residents from all over the county turned out to participate in the annual Upper Dublin Flea Market, located in the parking lot of the Upper Dublin township building at 801 Loch Alsh Ave in Fort Washington.

Forty-eight different vendors took advantage of the great opportunity to turn a profit by selling everything from collectibles, antiques, furniture and hand-crafted goods to your typical yard-sale haul of miscellaneous treasures. 

Overflowing with a wide array of merchandise, dozens of tables littered the parking lot outside of the Upper Dublin Township building. Although there were a few fresh faces, the event was dominated by returning sellers, most of whom have been participating for many years.

Between 8 am and 1 pm, the parking lot bazaar was a consumer paradise brimming with outdated technologies and a plethora of depreciated goods.

At one table, Mickey Mouse, Winnie the Pooh and The Cat in the Hat stuffed animals were spread out alongside unopened Muppets action figures. Even old VHS and cassette tapes speckled the parking lot, along with many other remnants of past consumer fads in American culture.

Originally, the flea market began in 2001 and took place at Mondauk Commons, Upper Dublin's largest municipal park. Eight years ago the venue changed and it was moved to the township building, which can also provide indoor accommodations in case of inclement weather. 

The Parks and Recreation office organizes and advertises the annual flea market via mailing lists, solicitation, and by posting information on the Upper Dublin Township website. 

The area for vendors to sell their merchandise consists of the width of two parking spaces per seller and costs $15 for local residents and $20 for non-residents.

The event was overseen by Tammy Echevarria, the Recreation Superintendent for the Upper Dublin Township. 

"It is a nice, feel-good community event," Tammy declared while she described previous years of operation. 

Customers have ranged from local residents and passers-by to spectators attending youth sports events in the area. In prior years, even construction workers from the adjacent high school have stopped by during their break to grab a bite to eat at the concession stand. 

Meatball subs and hotdogs topped with apple sauerkraut were two top-selling items at this year's snack stand, which Tammy operated along with Cheyenne Youell, Joanne McBrien and Janice Smith, all members of the Parks and Recreation Department.  

The proceeds from the flea market all go directly to the Upper Dublin Parks and Recreation General Fund, which is, in turn, used to advertise for upcoming community events.

This Saturday's flea market was a sold out venue, with 48 participating vendors. Many of the returning sellers marveled at the increase in this year's customer turnout. As usual, the annual event was a great success all because of the support from the local community. 

Anyone interested in becoming a seller at the annual Upper Dublin flea market can contact the Parks and Recreation office for the Upper Dublin Township at (215) 643-1600.

You can also visit http://www.upperdublin.net/ for more information about upcoming events in your community.