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Updated · Des Moines Register · Apr 28What Cheer Flea Market marks 50th anniversary with April 2026 event and over 400 vendors
7 articles · Updated · Des Moines Register · Apr 28
- The market runs April 30 to May 3, 2026, at Keokuk County Fairgrounds, featuring antiques, collectibles, and more across 20 acres.
- Admission ranges from $7 for early entry on Thursday to free on Sunday, with kids 12 and under admitted free throughout.
- The What Cheer Flea Market, one of the Midwest's largest, will also host events in August and October, drawing visitors from across the region.
Does a massive flea market truly revitalize a small town, or create more problems? How secure is the future of the What Cheer Flea Market's historic fairgrounds venue? What rare historical treasures might be hiding among the 400 vendor stalls this year? With 400+ vendors competing, how do sellers actually turn a profit at such a huge event? What is the one insider secret every first-time visitor to this massive market needs? How is this 50-year-old market adapting to attract younger, digitally-savvy collectors?