MONROE - Piles of books and vinyl records, aged furniture, dishes and lamps are some of the items that will be placed on table tops or in booths at the Green County Pickers Antique and Flea Market on Saturday.
The organization will celebrate its fifth year hosting the event. Co-chairman Susan Konopacki said when plans began half-a-decade ago to jumpstart the flea market as a fundraiser for the Green County Fairgrounds, where the event is hosted bi-annually, it was for children throughout the community, especially those in 4-H.
"It's to keep the fair going for the kids, that's what it's all about," Konopacki said. "I've been involved in 4-H since I've been nine years old. The fair is sort of near and dear to me. We didn't want to see our fair not be able to be held. We have about 500-600 kids in the county that are in 4-H."
As attendance dwindles at each Green County Fair, Konopacki said these types of events positively add to its funding.
Konopacki pushed for a revenue source because of her adoration for the 4-H program. The time spent in 4-H serves as a reminder of her mother, who recently passed away, and a time when she was adapting to public speaking. She also became an Open Class exhibitor, showing alongside her mother. Now she oversees the group.
Konopacki said the program was important because of its impact on young people.
"I learned so much through 4-H," Konopacki said. "It just kind of formed who I am. I'm a firm believer in getting your kid plugged into 4-H because they can learn so much."
An effort to begin the market started roughly two years before the first sales took place.
In its initial year, Konopacki said it drew in 88 vendors. Now it has 150 people or groups selling items at the market. The first event of the year took place June 3-4. The upcoming market will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.
With a $2 admission, bargain hunters can peruse lost treasures of their own making. Food vendors will be on site to serve up snacks for those in attendance. The Freeport Noon Kiwanis Club will be making kettle corn, and Green County Beef Producers, Ag Chest, representatives from the National Historic Cheesemaking Center, a local church stand serving homemade pie and Green County Pregnancy Center are non-profit food vendors for the event.
The flea market is adding an antique tractor show throughout the weekend with two threshing demonstrations each day. This year, John Deere tractors will be highlighted.
"It's been a good venture," Konopacki said. "A lot of work, but it's so worth it when you see people carrying stuff out of the gate and buying things; I call it good junk."
The organization will celebrate its fifth year hosting the event. Co-chairman Susan Konopacki said when plans began half-a-decade ago to jumpstart the flea market as a fundraiser for the Green County Fairgrounds, where the event is hosted bi-annually, it was for children throughout the community, especially those in 4-H.
"It's to keep the fair going for the kids, that's what it's all about," Konopacki said. "I've been involved in 4-H since I've been nine years old. The fair is sort of near and dear to me. We didn't want to see our fair not be able to be held. We have about 500-600 kids in the county that are in 4-H."
As attendance dwindles at each Green County Fair, Konopacki said these types of events positively add to its funding.
Konopacki pushed for a revenue source because of her adoration for the 4-H program. The time spent in 4-H serves as a reminder of her mother, who recently passed away, and a time when she was adapting to public speaking. She also became an Open Class exhibitor, showing alongside her mother. Now she oversees the group.
Konopacki said the program was important because of its impact on young people.
"I learned so much through 4-H," Konopacki said. "It just kind of formed who I am. I'm a firm believer in getting your kid plugged into 4-H because they can learn so much."
An effort to begin the market started roughly two years before the first sales took place.
In its initial year, Konopacki said it drew in 88 vendors. Now it has 150 people or groups selling items at the market. The first event of the year took place June 3-4. The upcoming market will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.
With a $2 admission, bargain hunters can peruse lost treasures of their own making. Food vendors will be on site to serve up snacks for those in attendance. The Freeport Noon Kiwanis Club will be making kettle corn, and Green County Beef Producers, Ag Chest, representatives from the National Historic Cheesemaking Center, a local church stand serving homemade pie and Green County Pregnancy Center are non-profit food vendors for the event.
The flea market is adding an antique tractor show throughout the weekend with two threshing demonstrations each day. This year, John Deere tractors will be highlighted.
"It's been a good venture," Konopacki said. "A lot of work, but it's so worth it when you see people carrying stuff out of the gate and buying things; I call it good junk."