Independence Hall becomes a thrift buyers paradise during its fund-raising Flea Market event the first full weekend of August. This has become one of the largest indoor/outdoor Flea Markets in the Mother Lode and must be seen to be believed. All funds received during the two-day event are used for the upkeep and maintenance of the Hall. Starting around the third Tuesday in June, we hold our volunteer kick off meeting where we welcome new and returning volunteers. This is an informational meeting.
The Flea Market is divided into several areas: The Main Room, Books/videos, Men’s, Women’s, Linens, Kids, Furniture and Outside. Each volunteer can choose where they would like to work. Each area starts with the “Set Up” which includes tables, shelves, crates, clothing racks etc. Then the sorting and pricing begins.
The normal work schedule is Tuesday and Thursday from 10 am to 2 pm. We record our volunteer hours in a binder that is in The Main Room. The purpose of recording our hours is two-fold; one, it shows just how many people and time that it takes for this event and second, the volunteers can make early purchases after completing twenty hours of work.
Volunteers work whenever their schedule permits; this is not a clock in/clock out job. In some areas, sorting can be done at home while still getting volunteer credit. The Tuesday/Thursday schedule goes on throughout June and July. The week leading up to the Flea Market will be a Monday through Friday schedule where we set up check out stations, shopping bags and boxes plus any last-minute tasks.
The week after the Flea Market commences the “Clean Up”. Any unsold items get packed up for donation to other organizations and the reverse of the set up begins. Tables, shelves, crates, and clothing racks are put away. The building is cleaned, and each room is set up as it was before. This process takes about two weeks. Independence Hall has several renters who meet weekly but take a break during the Flea Market. They need to be able to continue with their meetings by the middle of August.
Last year we were able to donate clothes to local thrift stores as well as Sacramento, Turlock, and as far away as Menifee.