It’s that time of year when collectors flock to flea markets to find the missing part they need for their tractor, the parts book for their engine and that toy tractor they need to round out their display. The Adams County Flea Market opened the first weekend in May in Mendon, Ill. The market runs from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday, every weekend through September. Collectors can find an array of items on the 11 acres and 12 buildings at the Adams County Fairgrounds. Around 69 vendors and 100 outdoor spaces give a nice variety of antiques, flowers, collectibles, produce and new and used merchandise. A true artist, Herschel Carriger was selling some beautiful wooden bowls when I visited, and has been there for about eight years. He had bowls made from apple wood, oak and burl, and one amazing piece made of a variety of woods. The bowl had wood from apple, hard maple, catalpa, sweet gum, blue spruce, plum, padauk, black gum, crab apple, gum ball, red elm, white pine, red bud, golden oak, beech, birch and more! On May 19, the flea market was hopping. One vendor was trying to sell an 8 N Ford and a lot of discussion was going on around the tractor. Another had a grouping of John Deere lawn mowers, and yet another had a Cub Cadet on a trailer ready for a new home. Some machinery wasn’t for sale, just on display, such as the pretty Adams County Model T car in one of the vendor buildings. Outside, visitors saw a spread of interesting items, including what appeared to be a homemade circular pedal ride for kids. Huge steel wheels sat against a tree and, while they would fit old machines, they would also make a cool decorative display if someone had the space. One vendor had a grouping of Briggs and Stratton boxes that a collector would enjoy. The company has a long history – it was founded in Milwaukee in 1908. It is most famous for its small engines, which it still makes today. The company began with Stephen Briggs, an electrical engineer, and Harold Stratton, a grain merchant. The company website says the two came together to build a new gas-powered vehicle at the dawn of the automotive age. No matter what a collector is looking for, there is a good chance they could find it at the Adams County Flea Market. Readers with questions or comments for Cindy Ladage may write to her in care of this publication. Learn more of Cindy’s finds and travel in her blog, “Traveling Adventures of a Farm Girl,” at http://travelingadventuresofafarmgirl.com |
