Hillsville Memorial Day Flea Market Draws Thinner Crowds After 4 Days of Rain
Updated
Updated · WSLS 10 · May 25
Hillsville Memorial Day Flea Market Draws Thinner Crowds After 4 Days of Rain
1 articles · Updated · WSLS 10 · May 25
Four days of rain sharply reduced turnout at the Hillsville Memorial Day Flea Market, with vendors saying Thursday and Friday were nearly washed out and Sunday traffic fell below Saturday’s pace.
Soggy conditions forced some sellers to pack up early, though a few who arrived prepared with tents said they still managed solid business despite one of the weekend’s worst weather stretches.
Since launching in 2004, the Memorial Day market has grown into a national draw, but vendors said it still trails the longer-running Labor Day event, which began in 1967 and usually faces less prolonged rain risk.
New VFW leadership helping organize the market has fueled vendor optimism that attendance will keep building, and several sellers said they plan to return for the next Hillsville flea market on Aug. 29-Sept. 1.
What concrete changes will new VFW leadership bring to grow the market beyond just hoping for sunshine?
How can technology and smart business tactics weatherproof vendor profits against future market washouts?