Visiting the Festival Flea Market: a rainy day in Fort Lauderdale

The Festival Flea Market: Our tip for a rainy day in Fort Lauderdale

The weather gods obviously know our itinerary, because today is the perfect day for rain, as we had planned a visit to Fort Lauderdale's Festival Flea Market for that day. I love markets of all kinds - and flea markets are no exception, especially when they're as massive as the Festival Flea Market at 2900 Sample Street in Pompano Beach, a north suburb of Ft. Lauderdale. Apparently we're not the only ones who think so, because the parking lot in front of the huge hall where the flea market is located is already packed. And together with us, more and more visitors line up in the turning lane to the flea market. Americans love everything that is old - and it doesn't matter what it is. This is perhaps also the reason why this flea market is open every day.

 

 

History of the Festival Flea Market in Pompano Beach

It all started in 1986 as the Pompano Outlet Mall. However, just two years later the project ran into difficulties. The turning point came in 1991. Shooter Properties bought the site and turned it into a flea market. Since then it has been called the Festival Flea Market Mall. The market is on West Sample Road, just two miles west of I-95 at the Florida Turnpike.

The Festival Flea Market is now a private company. It employs between 50 and 99 people. The market itself stretches over a quarter of a mile and features more than 800 shops. Here you will find branded goods at outlet prices. But the market offers more than just shopping. It is a meeting point for people from all over the world. The merchants sell designer jewelry, electronics, clothing and shoes. Grocery, furniture, antiques and luggage can also be found here.

 

 

Visit to Fort Lauderdale's Festival Flea Market

Jewelry

Striking are the many jewelery stands that sell everything from jewelery to necklaces made of real stones to old jewelery. As we look closer at the offer in one of the jewelery stores, the owner comes straight to us and announces that everything is at half price - a gorgeous necklace that fits perfectly on a dark blue sweater, for 70, - dollars? Maybe not a bad buy? And maybe we can trade something down? But we finally decide against a purchase. When do I already wear jewelry?

 

 

The Flip Flop Boulevard

That Fort Lauderdale is a bathing paradise, can hardly be overlooked in the flea market. The Flip Flop Boulevard leads us directly to the right accessories and shoes for the beach. Bathing suits, pareos, sunglasses, beach towels and beach bags - all can be found on this shopping mile in the Festival Flea Market.

 

 

Hat creations - old and new

If you like hats, you'll find a real treasure trove at the flea market in Fort Lauderdale: we discover elegant hat creations, which could even be seen at an event in the highest circles, as well as thousands of baseball caps. There are straw hats in the most beautiful shapes and even for the suitcase. And cowboy hats should not be missing, of course. Finally we are in America!

 

 

Souvenirs at the Hillsboro Antique Mall

Souvenir hunters should not miss the Hillsboro Antique Mall at the east end of the flea market halls. There are old American advertising signs, which are wonderful as a decor for the local walls, in many selections. Dishes, oil paintings, fine porcelain, we find - as well as a circus horse hanging over our heads. I would like that. But where to go and, above all, how can I get this almost life-size pony into the plane without paying huge sums for transportation? So continue with the search for a matching memento of our Floridareise.

This corner of the flea market is also popular with children. But there is still more to be done for Families with children in Fort Lauderdale.

 

 

Petar likes a metal toy airplane big enough for him to sit in. That's cute, but - like the circus horse - just too big. And so, with a heavy heart, we decide to settle for an old metal advertising sign. That at least fits easily in the suitcase and is still so light that there are no charges for excess baggage. After some amusing hours during our visit to the flea market, where we rummaged in American memorabilia, we make our way back to our hotel. And the rain, which is still falling, does not bother us a bit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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If the article has made you want more markets, then look at the Blog Parade Gudrun on the Markets of the world .

Source: own on-site research courtesy of GFLCVB. However, our opinion remains our own.

Text: © Copyright Monika Fuchs and TravelWorldOnline
Photos: © Copyright Monika Fuchs and TravelWorldOnline