Outdoorsman flea markets?

[thumper]

I was in the Florida Keys last year, and was very pleased to find that in the mix of weekly flea markets, there were two "Nautical Themed" flea markets per year - one in the Upper Keys, and one in the Lower Keys. At these annual events, all of the vendors were selling any and all sorts of fishing, boating - and well - 'nautical' stuff! Antiques, collectables, tables overflowing with used and old reels, lures, fishing stuff, as well as artsy stuff and new products. Lots of little old ladies selling off all the fishing paraphernalia that their poor husbands spent a life-time collecting, before they died an early death from working their fingers to the bone providing a life of leisure for their long-lived sweethearts who were now busy selling a prized rod and reel for 1/100th of its true value. Gotta love them sweet blue-hairs!!

Wouldn't it be cool if we could pull off something similar here in Alberta? One 'outdoors market' of used hunting/fishing/trapping/camping stuff flea market in Edmonton, and one in Calgary - every year. Just a chance to skip Kijiji and unload or swap stuff, and maybe give our senior ranks a chance to pass along unused equipment, or even our widows an opportunity to dump our most prized possessions at ridiculous prices!
Not firearms though - as the regulations are onerous, and that market is already covered by our provinces existing gun shows.

Make it an Alberta Outdoorsman fundraiser maybe? Hold it in a 'small-town' community hall.

Just a thought.....

[Redfrog]

WOW!!! two great ideas in one morning. What time did you get up.

We do have gun shows, but I've found very few bargoons at these events. Often 99% of sellers are wheeler dealers, and not just joe sixpack selling his , surplus to his needs, stuff.

Nothing wrong with the wheeler dealers, but I'd like to see a swap meet event with all kinds of outdoor gear. Maybe even one that excludes dealers.

[thumper]

I'm big on ideas.
Execution? - not so much....

[Redfrog]

Execution? For child molesters and murderers, I agree.

OMG!!! three in a row.

[Stinky Buffalo]

Great idea, thumper!

[Okotokian]

Originally Posted by thumper

I'm big on ideas.
Execution? - not so much....

Sheesh, a quote from my performance appraisal....

[Big Sky]

This is a great idea.
I was doing some cleaning in the man-cave (aka corner of utility room behind furnace ) and was thinking that I have to get rid of some stuff that I am not using. Was thinking of using AO buy and sell but so much of the stuff is piddly and not really worth the time spent exchanging email and setting up a meet.

But a outdoors flea market.... count me in.
It'd be a great resource for guys that are just starting out.

Have no idea how to set up something like this. Would be willing to help out.

[saskbooknut]

Our Muzzle Loading club has a Flea Market for outdoors stuff in March with a Weiner roast lunch - a chance to get out and have fun in the still winter weather here in Saskatoon, and maybe free up a little loose change.
We try to discourage non-outdoors junk but we are not too nasty about it.
There is usually some give away free stuff exchanged among friends too.

[Richard B.]

just thinking out loud - if we could find a public place with good vehicle access then folks could show up at a designated day and time to sell or swap stuff out of their vehicles

I was thinking of something like a field or a parking lot or ?

guns might be a problem though as the public might become alarmed if there were a bunch of people wandering around with guns

[Sitting Bull]

Fantastic ideas. I think maybe try to get permission at a community hall either in town or just outside of town. Possibly a recreation centre. Since there would be no fire arms may be even a church.
I love the fund raiser aspect to a local charity on behalf of Alberta Outdoorsmen.

[BBT]

TUC-Bow River Chapter Tackle Swap is well attended every year.

[bat119]

Swap meets are common in Arizona every city has one somewhere, the one is in Quartzite has hundreds of stalls selling everything from soup to nuts, Nothing more fun than going looking for bargains. Yuma has a tent city setup every week they have live bands and all kinds of food.

[Redfrog]

I asked about doing one at the local farmer's market, since they were having trouble getting folks out. Too many rules and restrictions, I was told.

[Sooner]

Red Deer has a huge swap meet every May, I haven't seen a lot of hunting or outdoor stuff but I bet you could get a few tables there and show some stuff.

[TripleTTT]

Mec has sporting goods flea markets spring and fall. No hunting stuff, but lots of outdoor gear is available... however, after saying that, I would still be interested in an outdoor gear (hunting/fishing) meet swap of some kind.

Cheers,
Terry

[Dacotensis]

Can we add tools as well please?

I could fill up ten or so tables

Plenty of outdoor and mechanicly inclined items as well.

I have some ideas on this. It could be an annual thing.
We should talk thumper...

We need a big parking lot