Most non-profit organizations have big fundraisers each year. The Lost Acres Fire Department used to have a rummage sale in the first week of May. Now they have a car show, which is Aug. 1. The Granby Drummer has its Puzzle Slam in early February. The Salmon Brook Historical Society has its flea markets held twice a year in May and October.
What many residents may not realize is the flea market grew from two separate fundraising ventures.
The first fundraiser was an Antique Show held at Granby Memorial High School. Organized by Bill Vibert in the late 1970s, the show brought together 40 to 50 antique dealers. Working with antique dealer Betty Forbes, Vibert created an event that quickly became popular with collectors and history enthusiasts.
Held on the third Saturday in October from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the show filled the high school grounds with vendors and visitors. Fred Griffin, serving as an auxiliary police officer, directed traffic, while volunteers such as Otto Neuman and Bill Pease cooked hot dogs and hamburgers at the concession stand, which was on the basketball court.
In 1976 another fundraising idea was taking shape. Society member Lelia Hawken started the Peddler Post. Beginning in May and once a month through the fall, local vendors were given free space at the SBHS grounds, and in exchange the vendors gave ten percent of their proceeds to the society.
With the help of Carol Laun, the Peddler Post raised funds to match a grant to publish Henry Hawken’s book, From Trumpets to Glory, a collection of July 4th speeches delivered between 1775 and 1861. The book remains available for purchase at SBHS.
Over time, the Antique Show and the Peddler Post evolved into a single event, the Salmon Brook Historical Society Flea Market. Today the flea market is held twice a year—the Saturday after Mother’s Day and the third Saturday in October.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the original fundraising events that became the flea market. During that time numerous volunteers have guided the event’s growth and success. Among the flea market chairpersons were Rusty Kniffen (1994-1999), Paul Willis (2000-2005), Bill and Jane Ann Pease (2010), and Todd Vibert, who has chaired the event in recent years.
While the chairperson serves as the event’s coordinator and point of contact, the flea market success has always depended on the army of dedicated volunteers.
Volunteers price donated items, staff the concession stand, direct parking, assist vendors, handle publicity, erect tents, organize donations, help set up the event and clean up when it’s over. Some volunteers contribute a few hours, while others work a 12-hour day. A few volunteers, who are still working, will use vacation time to help prepare for the show.
The commitment of those volunteers has been remarkable. During the 1980s, about 40 volunteers helped run the flea market. By 2013, volunteer participation had grown to 50 people. Today, the number has declined to around 35 volunteers, with an average age of 75. The oldest volunteer at this past spring flea market was 95 years old.
The flea market has changed over the years. In the 1980s the vendors paid $15 for space and about 20 vendors attended. Hot dogs sold for one dollar and soda sold for 50 cents. Today, vendors pay $40 for a space, and hot dogs are an affordable $3, and soda costs $2. Despite changing times and rising cost, the flea market remains the Salmon Brook Historical Society’s largest fundraiser and one of Granby’s most anticipated community events.
The May 16 spring flea market enjoyed beautiful weather and strong attendance, contributing to another successful show. The next flea market will be Saturday, Oct. 17.
To learn more about the history of our flea market, or other Granby history, become a member of the Salmon Brook Historical Society by calling 860-653-9713 or go online at salmonbrookhistoricalsociety.com