Labor Day
Labor Day, that holiday that was invented to celebrate the American worker is once more upon us. It is the most ignominious of holidays. No one gives gifts, sends cards saying, "Here's wishing you a wonderful Labor Day" or some other maudlin verse or even gives a nod to the hard working people who have and continue to make this country great.
Labor Day has become the unofficial end of summer. Swimming pools are closed and white clothing is no longer acceptable to the fashion minded. The early signs of fall appear in nature. When I was a kid the day after Labor Day was traditionally the start of the school year. The days spent, beer in hand tending the outdoor grille are waning. But the good news is, IT'S THE BEGINNING OF FOOTBALL SEASON!
Up here it's the weekend of the biggest event of the year. People come from all over the country and probably from several foreign counties as well. Hour waits in traffic are the rule and parking in any lot or lawn is a mandatory $5.00. Trucks and vans of all sorts roll in and forrest of tents spring up. Yes, folks once again it's the Hillsville Flea Market and Gun Show . This thing is huge. Our new neighbor from Florida wanted to attend so we went. It was the first and probably the last time we shall witness this event. Imagine, if you will about a square mile packed with people and vendors or all possible sorts of goods. It is the king of food courts setting the record for the most funnel cake stands in any given area.
If your looking for a bargain this is not the place to shop. If your looking for the unusual your in luck. Everything from vintage record albums to shabby chic (read extremely distressed) architectural features are available. Virtually all vendors are the professional types who, I think, see this as an opportunity to foist off at inflated prices the flotsom and jetsome of their unsold wares. It's more of an event than a bargain. Wanda did find some movies she wanted and our neighbor bought a jar of honey. After three hours we had visited about 30% of the show when the crowds and heat became unbearable and we headed back up the mountain taking the back roads to avoid the traffic.
Tomorrow Hillsville returns to the quiet town, slumbering for another year, awaiting it's fifteen minutes of fame.
Labor Day has become the unofficial end of summer. Swimming pools are closed and white clothing is no longer acceptable to the fashion minded. The early signs of fall appear in nature. When I was a kid the day after Labor Day was traditionally the start of the school year. The days spent, beer in hand tending the outdoor grille are waning. But the good news is, IT'S THE BEGINNING OF FOOTBALL SEASON!
Up here it's the weekend of the biggest event of the year. People come from all over the country and probably from several foreign counties as well. Hour waits in traffic are the rule and parking in any lot or lawn is a mandatory $5.00. Trucks and vans of all sorts roll in and forrest of tents spring up. Yes, folks once again it's the Hillsville Flea Market and Gun Show . This thing is huge. Our new neighbor from Florida wanted to attend so we went. It was the first and probably the last time we shall witness this event. Imagine, if you will about a square mile packed with people and vendors or all possible sorts of goods. It is the king of food courts setting the record for the most funnel cake stands in any given area.
If your looking for a bargain this is not the place to shop. If your looking for the unusual your in luck. Everything from vintage record albums to shabby chic (read extremely distressed) architectural features are available. Virtually all vendors are the professional types who, I think, see this as an opportunity to foist off at inflated prices the flotsom and jetsome of their unsold wares. It's more of an event than a bargain. Wanda did find some movies she wanted and our neighbor bought a jar of honey. After three hours we had visited about 30% of the show when the crowds and heat became unbearable and we headed back up the mountain taking the back roads to avoid the traffic.
Tomorrow Hillsville returns to the quiet town, slumbering for another year, awaiting it's fifteen minutes of fame.
posted by The MacBean Gene at 7:29 AM
3 Comments:
Sounds like fun .....
I don't know if it's just me getting old *lol*, but I'll just say: these kind of markets was better in the past...
Years and years ago the flea market was great, but I haven't been in a long time since the crowds and inflation hit!
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