Trinkets & Treasures — Annual community wide flea market attracts the bargain-shopping masses this weekend
The Bayside Socialites and Men’s Clubs are proud to announce that their annual two-day Bayside Estates Flea Market is just days away, taking place Friday and Saturday, Feb. 5 and 6, at the community clubhouse, 17601 San Carlos Blvd. Taking place rain or shine, the sale is an annual event that’s been a tradition for 20-plus years within the local community, and promises hours of shop-’til-you-drop action for bargain-hunters, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday; and 8 a.m. to noon Saturday.
“We have been collecting and storing all year from our residents, so we’ll have several great items available for sale this year,” said Debbi Wescoat, co-charwoman of the Bayside Socialites.
Uncover treasures with literally hundreds of thousands of items to look through from the 600-home community, along with drinks, refreshments, lunch, gift baskets and raffle prizes.
The Bayside Estates Flea Market is not your typical “flea market.” This event is a well-orchestrated, well-planned-out sale; a bargain-shopper’s paradise. All items are grouped within their own departments. Shop through the book nook section, small appliances, housewares, fabrics and crafts, collectibles, accessories, toys, children, men’s and women’s clothing sections, and the ever-coveted jewelry corner.
Take a step outside and check out the seasonal items, furniture, large appliances, tools, plants, and fruits and vegetables, plucked fresh from Immokalee farms, as well as the community’s own fresh-plucked oranges.
“We’ll have our popular ‘Le Junk’ category, as well, which can be anything,” Debbi laughed. “Everything is well-priced and affordable. We’re going to have lots of great things to buy, some consignment items, too, and our bakery has been hard at work already for the bake sale goods.”
One can’t “shop ’til they drop” without replenishing, so stop by the clubhouse kitchen for lunch or swing by the baked goods tables for a by-the-piece or by-the-plate selection. Grab a cup of coffee, sit back and take a breather before heading back out.
Raffle tickets may be purchased for your chance to win one of at least 38 fully filled gift baskets, each worth at least $50, according to Debbi, as well as a beach cruiser bicycle, gift certificates to many local hot spots, one of three hand-created quilts, crafted by the community’s sewing club (one bed-sized, the other two lap-sized), and a flatscreen TV, donated by the Realtors at Coastal Brokerage LLC.
“Proceeds from the quilt raffles will go to our sewing club, who will use the funds for purchasing additional materials for their charity endeavors,” Debbi explained. “Last year, they made 100 stuffed bunnies for foster care, and this year, they made 500+ stockings and filled them for the children in foster care. They also hand-craft pillowcases for children with cancer at the local Children’s Hospital, so each child has their own beautiful pillowcase.”
There is no cost to get in, and there should be plenty of organized parking available. One of the Men’s Club volunteers will direct you to a spot just follow the signs and the signals. There will also be a drive-up handicap drop-off and pick-up location at the front door, with outdoor seating, to make it as easy as possible for those with disabilities. Only cash can be accepted during the sale.
Funds raised go toward the maintenance and upkeep of the 55+ community, as well as for some charity endeavors the clubs work with throughout the year.