For thousands of people, weekend entertainment means a treasure hunt, possibly for gold, as in jewelry, or possibly for a used lawn mower.
“People are looking for something at a bargain price or for some rare find,” said Jim Piersky, vice president of Swap-O-Rama, which started in 1969 as a family business at a drive-in in Chicago and now operates three permanent indoor/outdoor locations year round.
While vendors can’t sell illegal items or food — Swap-O-Rama has its own concessions — its flea markets and others elsewhere are pretty much anything goes. And that’s the mass appeal.
“That’s the allure of it … the hunt,” he said, “and there’s always something new.”
Swap-O-Rama draws an average of 25,000 visitors to the weekend market at 4200 Ashland Ave. in Chicago, which opened in 1992, and 18,000 to its Tri-State Swap-O-Rama in Alsip, which opened in 1978.
Fresh produce, clothing, jewelry, household cleaners and tools are hot sellers at Swap-O-Rama along with new and used appliances and car stereos.
At other area flea markets, vendors adhere to certain rules, but, unlike more strict events such as arts and crafts fairs, they don’t have to disclose what they are going to sell, adding to the thrill of the hunt.
“The items for sale are determined by those selling them, so there’s no real way to know exactly what will be available,” said Matt Libs, marketing manager for the Tinley Park Park District, which is hosting its annual Secondhand Treasures Giant Garage Sale this weekend.
In Mokena, the park district’s flea markets in May, July and August typically have 100 vendors from the Midwest and draw thousands of visitors.
“People come from our walking path on the north side and from all over,” said Erin Cortilet, recreation supervisor for events. “Our parking lot is filled to the max and overflow goes into the church just west of us.”
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Items include gardening supplies, plants, produce, baseball cards and other collectibles.
“We’ve had a great mix, from old items like farming equipment, furniture and antiques of all kinds to new items like clothing and jewelry,” she said.
Here are some places to search for your idea of gold.
Alsip
Browse some 700 vendors inside and outside at the Tri-State Swap-O-Rama at 4350 W. 129th St.
Hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Admission is $2, $1 for seniors and children ages 7 to 11.
An outdoor-only market is held from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays. Admission is 50 cents, free for children under 7. Parking is free. Vendor fees start at $15.
For information, call 708-344-7300 or go to swap-o-rama.com.
Bolingbrook
Montana Charlie’s Flea Market at 255 S. Joliet Road, just south of Interstate 55, is open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
Admission is $2 Saturdays and $3 Sundays per vehicle.
For information, call 630-739-4338 or 630-523-2375 or go to montanacharlie.com.
Chicago
Swap-O-Rama at 4200 S. Ashland Ave. averages 1,100 vendors indoors and outside on weekends.
Hours are from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Admission is $2, $1 for seniors and children ages 7 to 11, free for children under 7.
An outdoor-only market is held from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursdays. Admission is $1, 50 cents for seniors and children ages 7 to 11, free for children under 7. Parking is free.
For information, call 708-344-7300 or go to swap-o-rama.com.
Mokena
The Mokena Park District’s annual outdoor flea markets will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 24 and Aug. 15 in the east fields of the Oaks Recreation & Fitness Center, 10847 W. LaPorte Road.
The market on July 19 will be held at Main Park, 10925 W. LaPorte Road.
Admission is free. Fee for vendors is $20 in advance or $25 day of.
For information, call 708-390-2401 or go to mokenapark.com.
Palos Park
A kids’ flea market will be an added attraction at the annual Farm Fest from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 6 at the Children’s Farm at The Center, 12700 Southwest Hwy.
Farm Fest features craft vendors, hayrides, horse rides, games, music and food.
The Center’s Big Rummage Sale will be Aug. 28 and 29.
For more information, call 708-361-3650 or go to thecenterpalos.org.
Tinley Park
The I-80 Flea Market is open from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays at 19100 Oak Park Ave.
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An indoor kitchen offers drinks, breakfast meals, sandwiches and ice cream.
Admission is $1. Parking is free. Vendor fee is $25. Setup time is 6 a.m. Vendors drive in and park at their selling location.
For information, call 708-532-8238 or go to i80fleamarket.com.
–Also in Tinley Park, the park district’s annual Secondhand Treasures Garage Sale will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, May 16, in the parking lot of White Water Canyon Water Park, 8221 W. 171st St.
Admission is free.
For information, call 708-342-4200 or go to tinleyparkdistrict.org.
Vickie Jurkowski is a freelance reporter.