Shoppers Paradise, Even if You Hate Shopping

"OUT & ABOUT" WITH BARRY & JOYCE

Recently Joyce and I made the drive up to the Fredericksburg area to explore the Fredericksburg Trade Days at Sunday Farms.  Located seven miles east of Fredericksburg, TX on US 290, the Trade Days are held every third weekend throughout the year.  In the month of November they are open the second weekend as well.  In December the show is moved up to the second week.

 

 The Trade Days are essentially a flea market but with a Texas twist.  Not only are there vendors selling everything you can think of, there's a "biergarten" located right in the middle of the grounds with a live band playing some great boot scootin' country music all day.

            

How 'bout them vendors?  Well, there are over 350, some set up in "shops" all over the grounds.  Also, there are six barns you can browse through to your heart's content.  Do you need a 1940's vintage drill press?  You can bet one of the folks selling tools has got one.  How about an old bed?  Yep, there out there.  How about an automatic feeder?  We found one!

Craft vendors are everywhere.  We saw a lot of beautiful handmade jewelry of all kinds,  anything from small turquoise ear rings to huge "Texas bling" rings and necklaces.  Several vendors had their metal sculptures on display.  What everyone needs in there front yard is a five-foot pink flamingo.  Set one up right in front of the RV, folks.

Redneck Wine Glass

Antiques abound at Trade Days.  We saw beautiful old furniture, collectable belt buckles, rings, jewelry and much more.  We even saw some very old shirt studs with the Texas Lone Star on them: just what you need to fancy up that white western shirt.  Absolutely beautiful!  We found a vendor selling old and new, cabinet knobs and handles.  You need some knobs with the Texas Lone Star on them?  He's got them.

While shopping you’re sure to work up a powerful hunger.  There was kettle corn, pastry's, corn dogs, burgers and of course, barbecue.  In fact, you can smell the smoked meats wafting throughout the grounds.

The Trade Days is open 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Friday & Saturday/9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sunday.  Parking is three bucks in a front pasture, one of which is available for RV parking and special events.

So, if you need something unique or special for someone on your Christmas giving list, Joyce and I highly recommend a day trip from Hidden Valley RV Park up to the Fredericksburg Trade Days.  You’re sure to find something there to fill any Christmas wish list.

Fredericksburg Trade Days

355 Sunday Farms Lane

Fredericksburg, TX 78624

"Out and About" With Barry and Joyce is published when ever Barry finds a gem wants to share.  Watch for more in this series and the "Let's Eat Out" Texas Restaurant reviews series. 

TRADERS VILLAGE, SAN ANTONIO, GRAND OPENING

The big news this weekend was the Traders Village Grand Opening. They boast millions of shoppers and festival goers and thousands of vendors in both 'under cover' and outdoor booths and shop set ups.  And I do believe that every one of them descended upon the new San Antonio Traders Village this past weekend, including a few of our RVers.  The 410 Loop was filled with vehicles at every exit on both sides of the Village for as far as the eye could see, and in the rain!

For almost 40 years, Traders Village has offered millions of guests a little piece of Americana; a glimpse back to a time when small businesses were the norm and haggling with the shop owner brought great bargains.  The San Antonio Traders Village is the third, behind Grand Prairie and Houston Villages.

From trinkets and trash, to treasures and trends, like they say, "if you can't find it at Traders Village, you didn't need it in the first place!"

Every weekend Traders Village will be serving up a state fair-style menu of food and drinks for all ages, kiddie rides and games, a roster of events, ATM machines, stroller and wheelchair rentals, modern restrooms, great bargains friendly bartering and more.

Once the novelty wears off a little, and the crowds thin, I'll make a visit and give you my personal opinion.  We're excited to have it so close to Hidden Valley RV Park and look forward to many visits.

"A Shopping Experience Unlike Any Other"

     "It'll be a shopping experience unlike any other in South Texas."
     That's how the new Traders Village Marketplace was described by its planners back in 2009 when the project got under way.  At the time, Grand Prairie, Texas-based retailer had just announced plans to develop its signature "flea-market and more" style marketplace on 290 acres of land along Old Pearsall Road and Loop 410 in Southwest San Antonio, incidentally, less than five minutes from Hidden Valley.  
     A mix of the bargain buys of the traditional flea market with year round entertainment - including festivals and live music events.  The Grand Prairie Traders Village boasts more than 3500 dealers and over 3 million patrons each year. 
     Trader's Village website describes it this way:  

     "Known as America's largest and most visited weekend flea markets; Traders village is a 21st Century hybrid of the old fashion sway meet with a contemporary flare for entertainment and family fun.  It's a nostalgic glimpse back to a time when small businesses were the norm and haggling with the shop owner brought surprising bargains.  Traders Village Marketplace - San Antonio will have all of the exciting elements that have made Traders Village a Lone Star landmark synonymous with value and fun for almost 40 years.  The original Traders Village opened in 1973, strategically placed between Dallas and Fort Worth on more than 80 acres of farmland in Grand Prairie, Texas and is today at more than 175 acres and growing.  From tires, tools and old tractors, to fresh produce, furniture, jewelry and junk, the market soon became a destination for shoppers looking for deals and an occasional treasure from thousands of mom and pop vendors."

     A second Village opened in Houston in 1989 and currently has 2500 dealers and brings in about 1 million shoppers each year.

     Village officials are optimistic about San Antonio's Village and they've already leased over 500 units/spaces for vendors in advance.  The land reportedly can accommodate over 1000 vendors.  As with the other 2 villages, San Antonio's will eventually have a resort style RV Park and campground including cabins.  
     Traders Village San Antonio will have a busy calendar of events including free concerts, a chili cook off, car club events, wood carver shows and more.  
     The first scheduled event will be the Indian Pow Wow.  The fall line up of events consists of a Day of the Dead event and Santa Clause will be at the market from the day after Thanksgiving until Christmas.  Next spring many more events are scheduled to kick in.  For more info visit their website HERE. 
We're excited to be so close to this old fashioned marketplace of colossal proportions.