AIMING TO FLEAS-E
Market draws most vendors ever in downtown event’s short history
TROY, N.Y. » Spectators celebrated the beautiful weather Sunday with live music, quesadillas and the most vendors Troy Flea has ever had.
Close to 40 vendors sold jewelry, records, furniture, clothes and pretty much everything else.
Since 2015 Troy Flea has been stationed next to the Hudson River a couple Sundays a month throughout the summer.
Carmen Agrusti and his girlfriend sell hand-made jewelry and home decor pieces.
“We were in the first year. We took last year off, and now we’re back this full season. It’s definitely the best season of it yet,” said Agrusti. “This is great. Work on the water. It’s a beautiful view to work to, and it’s just getting better by the week, so the organizers are doing a really good job of putting this together.”
Kristin Jackson is an organizer that Agrusti mentioned.
“New people are hearing about all the great things happening in Troy every day, and Troy Flea is another great reason to come enjoy Troy on Sundays,” Jackson said. “We always love to hear when people come for Yoga in the Park, browse the flea and stay for brunch and window shopping.”
Jackson began her second year running the market this year, and she’s noticed an uptick in attendance.
“I think we’ve been do-
ing our best every week and we’re finally building a following,” said Jackson. “A lot of these vendors contacted me and wanted to get in, so the market is really getting good reputation and this is the biggest one that we’ve had so far. It’s beautiful, and we’ve had a lot of good traffic, too.”
Usually Troy Flea had 27 to 30 vendors. Jackson hopes for even more as the vendors extend from the Korean War memorial up close to the fountain.
This Sunday Jackson arranged for a mini cafeteria with picnic tables to allow guests to enjoy music while eating some food.
“It’s been awesome. People I’ve seen them sit, listening to the band and getting some quesadillas and just making a day out of it,” said Jackson. “Just hanging out in Troy.”
Every Sunday, the citysponsored Yoga on the River begins at 9 a.m., and immediately following, Troy Flea begins.
“When we were setting up there was 200 yogis having an awesome time doing Yoga and then they all just flood down here, so that’s really nice,” said Jackson.
Kaylin Engelke from Engelke Farms set shop for the first time this year, and she’s pleased with how the market’s set up.
“It’s pretty neat. It’s pretty unique compared to all of the other markets around,” said Engelke. “It’s something different, and you get to see some stuff you usually don’t get to see. We’re enjoying it.”
Engelke said the turnout Sunday was great. She was pretty busy, but she didn’t mind with the beautiful weather.
“The weather’s great. Got music going on,” said Engelke. “It’s a nice little atmosphere down here.”
Troy Flea ends at 3 p.m. Sundays It runs the second and fourth Sunday every month through September.
For more information on vending, call (518) 281-0592, email info@troyflea.com or send a message through the Troy Flea Facebook page.