Vendor space open for May 16 event
By L.J. Gambone
Apple Valley Review
Before you throw out that old coffee table or power tool that has seen its better days, you might want to think about selling those and other used items at the Town of Apple Valley’s Rockin’ Flea Market on May 16 at Lion’s Park on Outer Highway 18.
For $20, residents and business owners can rent a 12-foot-by-12-foot space to sell their wares from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“Lion’s Park provides a lovely setting for this event and it’s right off Highway 18 near Dale Evans Parkway, so it’s easy to see while driving by,” said Julie Gilmer, event coordinator for the Town of Apple Valley. “Every year, we have people stopping in who didn’t know about it beforehand.
“And it’s amazing to see all the great items people wind up getting great deals on.”
According to Gilmer, the Rockin’ Flea Market will offer everything from antiques and household items to toys and clothing. Additionally, there will be books, tools, jewelry and just about any other type of item one might see at a yard sale. Attendees also are likely to discover hard-to-find items, Gilmer said.
In years past, Gilmer said the town’s flea market was known as a community yard sale. This year, officials at the Park and Recreation Department wanted to upgrade the event to include food vendors and live entertainment.
Local singer/songwriter Jaye Sooter will serenade the crowd with classic rock tunes by artists such as James Taylor, Billy Joel, ZZ Top, Bad Company and Muddy Waters, to name a few.
Sooter, a long-time High Desert resident, has been performing with the Apple Valley-based country band Southern Spirit for more than 20 years. The group performs regularly at local nightclubs, and also has toured the country opening for country music superstars Travis Tritt, Toby Keith, Brooks and Dunn and Pam Tillis.
“Southern Spirit has been the thing that has driven my career the most,” said Sooter, owner of Sooter Sign Co. “Being in the band has given me the chance to do what I love and also branch off into other projects. I’ve been very blessed.”
Gilmer said aside from providing the general public with a place to purchase new and used items at discount prices, the Rockin’ Flea Market also complements the town’s Green Apple Valley program. Instead of dumping unwanted items into landfills, residents and business owners can sell them at the event and earn a little extra cash in the process.
“With this event, we’ve made it easy for people to get rid of their stuff they don’t want anymore,” said Gilmer. “Our goal is to reduce the amount of landfill dumping in every way possible.”
Gilmer said spaces are filling up quickly for the flea market. She encourages those who are interested in participating to sign up as soon as possible. Nonprofit organizations also are welcome to be a part of the event and can rent a space for only $10.
Parking and admission are free. For more information, call 760-240-7000 or visit www.applevalley.org.