A core tenet of collecting is that the hunt is its own reward. Sifting through someone’s old stuff to find a treasure is an endorphin rush.
Flea markets can be sprawling events, with hundreds of vendors descended into a lawlessly organized floorplan. Some chaos is part of the fun. But you want a balance of order and disarray, and Elkhorn’s Antique Flea Market has that.
ELKHORN FLEA MARKET: AUG. 10 AND SEPT. 28, 7 A.M.-3 P.M., $5 AT THE GATE.
Begun in 1982, the market 45 minutes southwest of Milwaukee has grown from 15-20 vendors its first year to more than 500 sellers spread around indoor and outdoor stalls on the Walworth County Fairgrounds. The season consists of four markets, May to September, held rain or shine. You could easily spend the day and not see even half of it.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
A mishmash of setups (booths, stalls and tables – some vendors put effort into their displays, some don’t) are grouped into sections surrounded by paved walkways. Tables covered with old, strange-looking farm tools might be planted next to a boutique-like display of midcentury decor.
I went to the first flea of this season with a seasoned pro – this magazine’s creative director, Chelsea Mamerow. We waded through dishware, vinyl records, vintage T-shirts, artwork in all mediums, jewelry and many other bits and bobbles.
If you’re wondering who put the flea in these markets, it’s likely our thrifting friends across the pond in France, where the term marché aux puces translates literally to market at the fleas. There’s nothing that horrid pest loves more than clothy secondhand stuff, which may make you think twice about thrifting anything upholstered, woven (rugs), etc.
I didn’t intend to buy anything but ended up getting ensnared early in the day. After writing a story about the old Milwaukee soda 50/50 for our January issue, I semi-seriously started looking for old wooden soda crates on eBay. The prices and condition of the crates held me back.
But here at Elkhorn was a vendor selling only vintage advertising crates. And as luck would have it, the woman had a near mint-condition 50/50 crate from 1958. I’m not new to secondhand shopping, and haggling is my forte – well, sort of. I talked the vendor down from $50 to $45.
There’s plenty of “is this really an antique?” kind of stuff at Elkhorn Flea. But there’s also a good chance you will find something distinctive and cool. Mamerow, who tries to hit at least one flea each season, says one of her and her husband Kevin’s favorite purchases is also their quirkiest piece of home decor – a wooden, hand-carved alligator that now lounges in front of the fireplace in their living room.
“It’s so unique. It sparked joy in both of us,” she says. That’s exactly what makes a great flea market more than just a shopping experience.
How to Flea: Elkhorn Edition
- Bring a collapsible wagon. You never know what (or how much) you’ll want to buy, and freeing your arms will make the experience more pleasant.
- Take cash! It’s needed to enter the gate. Plus, it might get you a better deal with a seller than Venmo or Paypal.
- Come early to beat the crowds. Or stop by late in the day to try scoring a deal. Vendors may be more open to haggling if it means less to bring home.
- Pack water, snacks and sunscreen. Doughnuts, breakfast sandwiches, burgers, brats
and more are
also available
for purchase. - Look for vendors whose booths are less organized. Flea pros score some of their best deals sifting through disparate unmarked stuff.
Three More Great Fleas
The Famous Princeton Flea Market
Well-established, held weekly and free, the largest flea in central Wisconsin has a little – or a lot – of many things. Vintage collectibles, housewares, jewelry, furniture, clothing. Free, every Saturday (6 a.m.-2 p.m.) through Oct. 11 at Princeton City Park.
Dodge County Flea Market
Old tools, dishware, home decor – it’s a picker’s paradise. Free, Saturdays Aug. 23, Sept. 20 and Oct. 11 (8 a.m.-2 p.m.) at the Dodge County Fairgrounds in Beaver Dam.
Shawano Flea Market
Small and easy to navigate, this market in northeastern Wisconsin has a 50-year tradition of selling vintage stuff – glassware, movie memorabilia, toys, clothing and lots more. Admission $2, free under age 12, Sundays through Oct. 5 at the Shawano County Fairgrounds.
