Date: Apr 25, 2024
Shipshewana, Ind. — It’s that time of year again to find amazing treasure, as well as bargains, in Indiana’s Amish Country. The Shipshewana Flea Market kicks off the 2024 season this Tuesday, April 30th.
Shipshewana Flea Market boasts nearly 700 spaces of vendors selling their wares on 40 acres. “You’ve never seen anything quite like it with so much to do here,” says Flea Market Director Michael Christner. “You can come to the famous Midwest’s largest flea market and spend the day shopping; you can bid on one-of-a-kind items at the Antique Auction and you can explore the town.”
Shipshewana Flea Market is now open 8 am to 4 pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, through September, rain or shine with holiday hours on Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day. The market is also opening for their special weekend hours on June 14-15 and August 2-3.
The weekly Shipshewana Antique & Misc. Auction is held each Wednesday, year-round inside the Misc. & Antique Auction building. Special featured sales of toys, signs & advertising and the weekly sale of antiques, collectibles, architectural salvage, furniture, glass, primitives and more offer buyers an abundance of items to bid on with the 6-9 auctioneers who sell simultaneously each Wednesday, all year long.
Special Events Activities this Season include:
- Giveaways totaling over $10,000 - Hourly drawings each day in the flea market where 7 (seven) lucky shoppers each day will win prizes including an overnight stay to the beautiful Farmstead Inn & Conference Center or “market cash” good for shopping from the 700 vendors, food courts or Auction Restaurant.
- Extended Market Holiday Dates – Including Memorial Day, Independence Day & Labor Day.
- Featured Hands on Events & Weekend Markets - To be held June 14-15 featuring a succulent plant workshop with amazing snacks and drinks where you can take home your very own succulent that you plant in a unique treasure from the Antique Auction! Hourly Door Prize Giveaways at the Information Booth and get the chance to meet our new mascot, “Shippy” the Prospector, with FREE photo opportunities at special times during the day.
- Mother Daughter Special Weekend Market – To be held August 2-3 featuring Hourly Door Prize Giveaways, special activities for moms and daughters, plus the annual Shipshewana Antique Market and Shipshewana Swap Meet will also be open on Saturday, August 3rd for an amazing day of unique shopping opportunities.
For more information and an up-to-date list of events for the flea market or auction, visit www.shipshewanafleamarket.com, call 260-768-4129 of find them on their Facebook page at Shipshewana Flea Market.
The Start of the Flea Market
Shipshewana Flea Market and Auction is located in Shipshewana, Indiana, a small, yet popular tourist town of 650 people. The area attracts generations of families to take in the town’s Amish-based lifestyle. Shipshewana Trading Place, now one of the Midwest's most popular destinations, started in 1922 when six pigs, seven cows and several head of young cattle were sold at the home of George Curtis during the very first Shipshewana livestock auction. Business grew rapidly, so Curtis decided to build an auction barn at his home.
In 1947, Fred Lambright, who is the grandfather of Keith Lambright (current owner) purchased the auction. He built a new sale barn at the present location and put in a large scale to sell fat hogs and cattle by the pound. In those days, people would bring items to sell out of their car trunks, unofficially starting the Shipshewana flea market.
A roof was built for the flea market in 1947, though people continued to sell from their cars. In 1950, Lambright built a new Auction Restaurant, which could seat 50-60 people.
About the Shipshewana Flea Market
The Shipshewana Flea Market is the Midwest’s largest flea market. Featuring nearly 700 booths on 40 acres, it attracts thousands of visitors each week during the peak summer season. The Shipshewana Flea Market offers a huge variety of products and is open every Tuesday and Wednesday from May through September. The flea market is owned by Shipshewana Trading Place, which is a uniquely successful Hospitality and Service organization. Shipshewana Trading Place offers a diverse range of destination and merchandising services, including the Midwest’s largest flea market, Shipshewana Auction, Farmstead Inn & Conference Center, Farmstead Expo Barn & Event Pavilion, Shipshewana RV Park & Service Center, Farmstead on Farver (A private rental home.), Shipshewana Auction Restaurant, & Special Events. For further information, visit www.shipshewanatradingplace.com.
