Flea Market No Small Feat At Fairfield Hills

As Bob Keegan dutifully greeted virtually every vehicle making its way onto the Fairfield Hills campus last weekend, hundreds of fair-weather visitors poured through the grounds checking out crafts, jewelry, sundries, and general household bric-a-brac as Newtown Congregational Church held its annual flea market last weekend.

Opposite the main entrance to the Fairfield Hills campus, Reed Intermediate School was the host site for the annual Friends of Booth Library Book Sale. It seemed, however, that the complementary nature of each of the two events in such proximity seemed to generate collateral traffic to both.

The congregational church’s basement- and garage-emptying activity was held at Reed School last year, but moved back to Fairfield Hills for this year’s summer event.

Several volunteers at the flea market kept the grilled food and refreshments well stocked, as many other vendors from congregants to professionals who work the regional flea market and fair circuit could be heard yelling out prices as visitors picked through the wares.

The two-day activity spilled across the soccer fields at the former state hospital grounds and had an extra draw Saturday as vintage base ball players took to the adjacent field in a rollicking competition.

Plans are already underway for a Labor Day weekend event by NCC, with the sale scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, September 2 and 3. Vendors who contact Barbara Field before August 1 can take advantage of early bird discounts; the modest vendor fees increase after that date. Mrs Field can be reached for full details by calling 426-4714.