Mom Seeking Local Flea Markets

Dear A.,
It isn't local but there is a super fun flea market on Staurdays in DC. It's called Eastern Market. I take my 3 yr old daughter once inawhile. It's so cool, it's the longest running flea/farmers market in the US since around 1800 something. It is right off the blue line, the stop is Eatern market. They sell everything, arts n cratfs, used items, unique items etc. It's worth to go at least once.
Also there is a website www.our-kids.com
It lists every activity and park, consignment sale in the wahsington metro area. It is a very handy resource! I'm sure they would list flea markets.
Good Luck!
Pammy

Manassas Fall Jubilee, Manassas, VirginiaThe Manassas Fall Jubilee will be held on October 4, 2008 in historic and picturesque Old Town Manassas. This is a family oriented event that features live music and performances as well as many other attractions. Among the attractions, the Woman’s Club of Manassas features a Fall Antique Flea Market in the Loy Harris Pavilion in the heart of Old Town. The Fall Antiques Flea Market features eclectic vendors featuring great merchandise at reasonable prices and they sell with a friendly atmosphere. This is a great venue serving the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area with something to do for the entire family and the Fall Antiques Flea Market benefits the Woman’s Club of Manassas scholarship fund.

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D.C. Big Flea, Dulles Expo Center, Chantilly, VirginiaThe DC Big Flea is the largest and best antiques and collectibles show in the Metropolitan Washington DC area is the granddaddy of them all. This antique and collectibles flea market is held at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly, Virginia and features two buildings and more than 1100 booths. It is efficiently and professionally run by D’Amore Promotions of Virginia Beach, Virginia. You will find that The DC Big Flea Market is conveniently located with plenty of free parking with shuttles to and from both buildings in addition to food courts, clean restrooms and friendly staff. If you cannot find what you are looking for at this antique and collectible flea market, you will not find it anywhere. The scheduled dates for 2008 are: January 12 & 13, March 1 & 2, July 19 & 20, September 20-21 and November 1 & 2

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Civitan Club of Arlington Flea Market, Arlington, VirginiaThe Civitan Club of Arlington Flea Market is more of large garage or yard sale. You will find a very eclectic mix of merchandise at this market that includes antiques, collectibles, new merchandise, jewelry, children’s items as well as people’s junk. TheCivitan Club of Arlington Flea Market has more than 150 spaces, unfortunately attendance in the past few years has dropped due to the quality of the merchandise and the stringent rules applied by the Civitan Club and the County. It is held the first Saturday of the month starting in April and running through November and if you look carefully, you may still find a bargain.

Not sure what you are looking for... but if it's for children, may I suggest Danis Duds. It is a semi annual sale that is basically a huge organized consignment sale at the Dulles Expo. http://www.danisduds.com/ It is amazing. Check out the picture on their website for a good clue. I'm planning to bring things to consign this year. I've gotten toys, clothes, jackets, a little potty, etc. It costs $5 to go and you have to read the instructions to see when to shop and whether kids can come with you (not before noon on Sat I think). They are strict about this because of the number of people shopping and the huge amount of items for sale. If you volunteer or consign clothes, you get to shop early (no kids). The various stages of the sale are October 6-12, but general admission is the 11 and 12.

You can also get bedding, bikes, strollers, toys, etc.

Good luck.
Liz

Don't know if by flea markets you also would consider thrift stores but there are some good ones around here. Like with any thrift stores, you can hit the jackpot one time and find nothing you want another time, depending on what they've gotten in donations recently. We go to Unique Thrift on Gallows Road in the Annandale area (it's about one minute off the Beltway so easy to reach). Not dirt-cheap--girls' shirts for instance could range from $1.99 to $5.99 for items that originally were a lot more--but I've found very nice items, even some clothes that clearly were never worn. And they sort the clothes better than some places and have everything hung up, neat and accessible. Kids' books mostly 49 cents and up. They also have adult clothes, household stuff. Have fun!