HARTVILLE MARKET PLACE AND FLEA MARKET

Monday, LABOR DAY, September 3 – We went looking for bargains this morning at the Hartville Flea Market.

This is one of their busiest days of the year, so he picked up Marsha's brother and sister-in-law, Rick and Chris, at 7:30 am so we could beat the crowds.

Well we almost beat the crowds.

We had a ton of rain the past two days. Looks like someone has a sense of humor.

Established in 1939, the Hartville Flea Market (re-named the Hartville Market Place) has grown into a year-around shopping experience that you have to see to believe. The two-story facility combines the best of days gone by with all the amenities of a modern shopping center. It is air-conditioned and heated for year-around comfort. Among the more than 100 permanent dealers you can find anything from fresh meat, cheese and produce, home décor, clothing & accessories, jewelry, and much more.

The outdoor Flea Market is a 12-acre bargain hunters' paradise. Enjoy shopping under two covered pavilions that can hold 200 vendors or stroll on the smooth blacktop area, which can hold and additional 800 vendors.

The fruits and vegetables were delicious looking.

We bought these HUGE red peppers. DE-LIC-IOUS!

It seemed everyone was carrying some sort of flower.

No, Paul, we don't need a 100 lb. bag of potatoes.

The Market is open all year on Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. The three summer holidays are the busiest time to shop.

Need any scissors?

What about FIVE bras for $10? Now that is a deal, but we weren't buying.

These are the fanciest toilet bowl brush holders we have ever laid our eyes on.

Guess this guy is celebrating Halloween a bit early.

We made several purchases each. Again, just trying to help out the local economy.

Sign for the day.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y'all back real soon. Have a great day.

 

THE FAIR IS IN TOWN

Saturday, September 1 - It is that time of the year again…The Stark County Fair. This is the 163rd year for the fair. The first Stark County Fair was held in downtown Canton near Public Square and the Courthouse on lots and in buildings owned by the Presbyterian Church and Union School. Livestock was exhibited on church grounds.

This year we went with Marsha's brother, Rick.

Fair Board changed the entry amount to $8.00 this year. Now we aren't exactly Cheapskates, but $8.00 is a bit much when we won't be riding any of the rides.

With much to see, we started the day at the goat and sheep barn.

These two little ones were playing the favorite goat game, "Butt the Head."

What are these two "old" goats doing with these babies?

Off to the beef cattle and milking cows.

This guy was too lazy to get up to eat.

Marsha thinks the cows are so cute. She asked them to pose with her.
 

We watched some of the judging activities.

Even though the fair took great strides in helping the public keep aware of the Swine flu,

we opted to skip the pig barns and just watch some of the pig auction. Boy was it well attended!

Of course, there were the llamas, rabbits, ducks, horses, etc..

We then walked through the political area where people running for office were handing out tablets, rulers, buttons, maps, etc. Not being a registered voter in Ohio any longer, we breezed through grabbing a couple free items.

When we hit the “huckster” barn, we notice empty stalls. Where were all the people selling "must haves"? There were still many companies trying to tell us we needed to see the latest in bathroom remodeling, aluminum siding, replacement windows, swimming pools,etc., but we weren't buying today.

Marsha's favorite area is the hobby barn where quilts, knitting, canning, flower arranging, cakes, pies, huge vegetables, photography, and other hobbies are entered for showing. This year the barn didn't disappoint her.

 

Ohio's top crops are soy beans and corn.

A cool sand display.

We noticed that the attendance was way down today. Making our way around the machinery, the trapping & hunting buildings, the 4-H areas, and of course 100's of food wagons was very easy. Amazingly, we were able to skip the sausage sandwiches, onion rings, and soft drinks but not the Fair Fries…YUMMMMMMMMY!

"No, Paul. Not in this lifetime!"

We always enjoy the tractor-pull contest. We sat several hours and watched all sizes of tractors attempt to win their division.

It was another wonderful, fun day at the Fair. Thank goodness the rain held off until after we left.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y'all again. Have a great day!

ANOTHER REASON TO CELEBRATE

Thursday, August 30 - While Carrie was visiting, it was her birthday. She didn't want any cake or ice cream. What did she want…some sort of flavored beer.

Marsha got creative and turned that ordinary bottle of beer into a birthday celebration.

Marsha made Carrie a tray out of pine needles. Carrie was really excited.

"There is a sucker born every minute" is how the saying goes. Well, guess who the sucker was this time…MARSHA. While we were visiting our friends, Jeri and Terry, we ran across a guy selling the "smallest" kites in THE ENTIRE WORLD. Marsha watched this guy fly his kites and thought they were pretty cool. Only $2/each…what bargain. She picked out two and presented them to the girls.  Marsha yelled, "Go on, fly them, they really work!" The wind was blowing just enough to get those little kites up in the air. Guess she is not such a sucker after all.

It was another wonderful celebration, and it was only noon.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y'all back real soon. Have a great day!