- Images: Webster Flea Market
Webster Flea & Farmer’s Market: Florida’s Oldest & Largest
Posted: 12:45 pm EDT August 28, 2008Updated: 5:37 pm EDT August 28, 2008
WEBSTER, Fla. -- Author: Bette BonFleur
Annie Russell, of Lake Panasoffkee, first started searching through the Webster, Florida flea market when she was a child, growing up in south Florida. She and her mother drove up from Ft. Lauderdale once a month. Forty years later she’s still on the hunt, but now it’s every Monday. Her quest? Antique horse harness “rosettes.”Three close friends, Ophelia, Sophie and Deonna also visit every week. Deonna says she’s been coming for 60 years when it was quite small, not the 1500 vendors of today. She considers her “cow thermometer” her most unusual find. Each Monday they search for something different. One week it could be Depression glass and another, rolling pins, but mainly “We come to have fun,” she said.The Webster Flea and Farmer’s Market sits on about 50 acres, 70 miles northwest of Orlando, off Florida Turnpike exit 256. The 67 miles took me just under an hour and a half, taking the 408 West from downtown Orlando to the Turnpike. (see map) It’s the oldest and most famous flea market in Florida and is also well known by flea market aficionados across the United States. Others may claim the title “Best Flea Market in Florida,” but I’m willing to bet after one trip to Webster, in your eyes, the others will be mere also-ran’s.What’s your interest? Coca-Cola collectibles? Disneyana? American pressed glass? Change purses made from what look to be cousins of Kermit? Yes, there are myriad mysterious creations of someone’s mind and craftsmanship that will make you look twice… or maybe just hurry on past, fast. It’s an eclectic catalog of oddities as well as genuine antiques and collectibles.A thriving farmer’s market starts up around about 6 a.m. I know that first hand, because I was the very first person to arrive one Monday. I hadn’t planned that but after being warned to “get there early” I knew I must. However, it was the day before Fay rolled in and most people were home preparing for the storm. The good thing is I got free parking. If you get there a little later it will cost you $3 for the day which is over at 2pm.The farmer’s market is overflowing with beautiful cucumbers, tomatoes, asparagus-- you name it. Plenty of good fruit too. As far as cooked vittles, it’s the typical fare of Italian sausage (too early in the morning to taste and review), pizza, barbeque, hot dogs and always-a-crowd-pleaser — funnel cakes. Picnic tables aplenty or if you’d prefer a sit down meal there’s a nice indoor buffet. Some Webster visitors come for more than shopping. Christine Helton, originally from Cincinnati, brought down “a whole big barn of stuff” when she and her family moved to Bunnell in 1973. Christine is partially disabled now and says she comes mainly to talk to people. One of her regulars is school teacher Joyce Faulkner who just likes to walk around and “check out good deals on handbags.”Speaking of handbags, many, many years (decades?) ago I came across what I considered a one-of-a-kind. I hope it was one-of-a-kind. I’d hate to think there was a factory in Texas churning them out. It was an armadillo purse. A full-size armadillo had somehow been “tanned” and transformed into a most practical conveyance. Perfect for carrying around a lipstick, hairbrush, wallet, mirror, lunch (He was a big critter).If you’re a hobbyist, collector or just curious about this Florida fixture in a tiny town of 805 or would simply like to take a long stroll up and down the aisles, then set aside a Monday for a quirky kind of Florida attraction that’s open “rain or shine,” 52 weeks a year, unless Christmas falls on a Monday.Also, you can bring along your best canine buddy, but you have to promise to stay on your leash.The Webster Market is a perfect day’s outing when you’re in a well-rested, adventurous, light-hearted mood. If your male friend doesn’t want to come along tell him there are plenty of fishing rods, swords and lots of food. I guarantee somebody will find something that will make for good conversation on the way home.
IMAGES: Photos From The Webster Flea Market
Webster Flea Market
Annie Russell, of Lake Panasoffkee, first started searching through the Webster, Florida flea market when she was a child, growing up in south Florida. She and her mother drove up from Ft. Lauderdale once a month. Forty years later she’s still on the hunt, but now it’s every Monday. Her quest? Antique horse harness “rosettes.”Three close friends, Ophelia, Sophie and Deonna also visit every week. Deonna says she’s been coming for 60 years when it was quite small, not the 1500 vendors of today. She considers her “cow thermometer” her most unusual find. Each Monday they search for something different. One week it could be Depression glass and another, rolling pins, but mainly “We come to have fun,” she said.The Webster Flea and Farmer’s Market sits on about 50 acres, 70 miles northwest of Orlando, off Florida Turnpike exit 256. The 67 miles took me just under an hour and a half, taking the 408 West from downtown Orlando to the Turnpike. (see map) It’s the oldest and most famous flea market in Florida and is also well known by flea market aficionados across the United States. Others may claim the title “Best Flea Market in Florida,” but I’m willing to bet after one trip to Webster, in your eyes, the others will be mere also-ran’s.What’s your interest? Coca-Cola collectibles? Disneyana? American pressed glass? Change purses made from what look to be cousins of Kermit? Yes, there are myriad mysterious creations of someone’s mind and craftsmanship that will make you look twice… or maybe just hurry on past, fast. It’s an eclectic catalog of oddities as well as genuine antiques and collectibles.A thriving farmer’s market starts up around about 6 a.m. I know that first hand, because I was the very first person to arrive one Monday. I hadn’t planned that but after being warned to “get there early” I knew I must. However, it was the day before Fay rolled in and most people were home preparing for the storm. The good thing is I got free parking. If you get there a little later it will cost you $3 for the day which is over at 2pm.The farmer’s market is overflowing with beautiful cucumbers, tomatoes, asparagus-- you name it. Plenty of good fruit too. As far as cooked vittles, it’s the typical fare of Italian sausage (too early in the morning to taste and review), pizza, barbeque, hot dogs and always-a-crowd-pleaser — funnel cakes. Picnic tables aplenty or if you’d prefer a sit down meal there’s a nice indoor buffet. Some Webster visitors come for more than shopping. Christine Helton, originally from Cincinnati, brought down “a whole big barn of stuff” when she and her family moved to Bunnell in 1973. Christine is partially disabled now and says she comes mainly to talk to people. One of her regulars is school teacher Joyce Faulkner who just likes to walk around and “check out good deals on handbags.”Speaking of handbags, many, many years (decades?) ago I came across what I considered a one-of-a-kind. I hope it was one-of-a-kind. I’d hate to think there was a factory in Texas churning them out. It was an armadillo purse. A full-size armadillo had somehow been “tanned” and transformed into a most practical conveyance. Perfect for carrying around a lipstick, hairbrush, wallet, mirror, lunch (He was a big critter).If you’re a hobbyist, collector or just curious about this Florida fixture in a tiny town of 805 or would simply like to take a long stroll up and down the aisles, then set aside a Monday for a quirky kind of Florida attraction that’s open “rain or shine,” 52 weeks a year, unless Christmas falls on a Monday.Also, you can bring along your best canine buddy, but you have to promise to stay on your leash.The Webster Market is a perfect day’s outing when you’re in a well-rested, adventurous, light-hearted mood. If your male friend doesn’t want to come along tell him there are plenty of fishing rods, swords and lots of food. I guarantee somebody will find something that will make for good conversation on the way home.
IMAGES: Photos From The Webster Flea MarketWebster Flea Market Copyright 2008 by wftv.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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