Rainy start, strong turn out at the Fleur de Flea Outdoor Vintage Market
Rain moved into Louisville Saturday morning, but it didn’t keep shoppers away from the Fleur de Flea Outdoor Vintage Market at Waterfront Park, located under the Interstate 64 overpass.
The popular market featured hundreds of vendors offering vintage clothing, vinyl records, antiques, and handmade goods.
Weather delays pushed the start of the event back by an hour, but organizers said most vendors still showed up and adjusted to the conditions.
“You just never know what you’re going to find. You come down here and just start digging,” said vendor Todd Smith, Smith Music and Collectibles.
Promoter Lisa Porter said only one vendor did not make it, adding that the group has learned to adapt when the weather becomes a challenge.
“We’ve just learned to go with the flow. We’ve been so blessed in the past with great weather, and we knew we were going to be challenged sooner or later,” Porter said.
For many vendors, protecting merchandise from the rain was the top priority as they covered and secured displays throughout the morning.
“We had a couple tarps for the stuff out there. We have a large booth here. A lot larger than a lot of people, so we expand out a little bit and just hit the brace for a little bit of the weather,” said vendor Bill Kniesly, Kings of Junk.
Organizers said the adjusted hours helped give both vendors and shoppers more time to experience the market after the delay.
The event, which draws an estimated 22,000 people annually, continues to be a destination for those looking to support local artists and small businesses.
“My family and I always like to support the arts. It’s exciting to see everything here. It’s fun to be able to get a piece and have that at home,” said attendee Jessica Viviano.
James Bauman enjoys coming to the market. He says it gives artists exposure they don’t always get elsewhere.
“Being exposed to a lot of local artists and things you wouldn’t normally see in other stores. Hopefully something like this can continue and keep putting money in the artists’ pockets," Bauman said.
If you missed Saturday’s event, Fleur de Flea returns to Waterfront Park on Labor Day weekend.
