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The Barrie Automotive Flea Market: A family tradition

Fall version of the event opens Thursday
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If it moves, you’ll find it at next week’s Barrie Automotive Flea Market.

Thursday through Sunday, Sept. 6-9, Burl’s Creek Event Grounds up Highway 11 becomes home to acres of four-wheeled marvels of all shapes, sizes and ages.

What “drives” folks there? For sure, says the TV advertising, “It’s the cars!”

And the exciting part of this year’s fall fair, the 48th edition, according to spokesperson Lisa Groves, is the element of surprise.

“We never know exactly what cars vendors are bringing to sell or what vehicles are coming for the car show or car sales,” Groves tells BarrieToday.  “That is part of the reason people attend twice a year, to see what has perhaps come out of the barn.”

Now, if you’re not a devotee of the Model A or the Studebaker, Groves says there are still loads of items to strike your fancy, though most of them auto-related.

“There are loads of antiques, collectibles, wearables and children’s toys. There is always inventory to entice all ages of the entire family.”

Groves is a bit iffy, though, on whether cars of a certain age are discarded, only to find love at events such as this.

“I believe that people of all ages have an interest in a particular style, make, or model of vehicle that is tied to memory of a time in their life -- perhaps driving in grandpa’s Ford station wagon backwards, or Dad’s Camaro convertible on a summer night for ice cream.

“Other vehicles are used to create resto mods, hot rods, rat rods, dragsters… Automotive enthusiasts are a very creative, talented bunch.”

And if you’ve got a yen to fixing up the “old bus,” Groves suggests there might just be the part to help you do it.

“It would all depend on what project is on the agenda for the winter. Tires, motors, frames, bodies, and there seems to always be several people walking out with exhaust and high-performance parts and pieces.”

To add to the suspense, Groves says, “some vendors don’t even know what they are bringing until they start loading their trucks and trailers. There is 16 km of roadways to walk and shop the booths.”

She concludes, “Attending the Barrie Automotive Flea Market is a family tradition, some groups include four generations.”

Burl’s Creek is Line 8, just off Highway 11, in Oro-Medonte. 

To learn more, click here.


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Glenn Wilkins

About the Author: Glenn Wilkins

Glenn Wilkins, in a 30-year media career, has written for print and electronic media, as well as for TV and radio. Glenn has two books under his belt, profiling Canadian actors on Broadway and NHL coaches.
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