For antiquing, checking out cool cars, walking for a good cause, a fiesta or swimming with a pet; Emporia is the place to be this weekend. The Great American Flea Market runs from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday in downtown Emporia on Commercial Street between Third and Eighth Avenues.
Flea market shoppers will have a wide variety of vendors to choose from. This year’s more interesting booths include some new and old additions to the flea market.
New this year is Tony Tollett with his Everything Elvis booth. Tollett has been an Elvis collector for years and is selling a portion of his collection. His Elvis memorabilia includes records, movies, DVDs, old pocket calendars, promotional photos from 1956, posters, magazines, books, newspapers, tabloids and jewelry. More contemporary memorabilia includes a dancing and singing Elvis Elmo doll and a telephone with an Elvis doll that sings “Jailhouse Rock.” The phone will be given away at a drawing at 3 p.m.
“I’ve got all kinds of odds and ends,” he said. “Just about everything but his pink Cadillac I think.”
The Everything Elvis booth will be in the 700 block of Commercial Street on the east side.
Susie Wecker and her husband, Chris, of Osage City are bringing several art projects to the flea market for the first time this year. From temporary airbrush tattoos and body art to paintings, drawings and photographs. The tattoos range from $4 to $12 and can last up to 2 weeks. Susie Wecker said they are very popular with children and teens.
To get a preview of their tattoos, go to www.lonelytravellerart.com.
Art lovers may also be interested in Mary Stauffer’s booth. Her late husband, Richard Stauffer, taught glass blowing for more than 40 years at both Emporia State University and Emporia High School. Mary Stauffer said as a result, she has a ton of his glass pieces left, which she will be selling. Stauffer said prices of the pieces will range from $7 to $100. Works include sculptured glass, bowls, vases and dishes.
This is Stauffer’s third time at the flea market. Her booth will be in the 700 block of Commercial Street on the west side.
Antiques are making a big comeback at the flea market this year and will take up most of the 300 block of Commercial Street. Shirley Slaymaker of Poehler Antiques will have several antique furniture and other pieces up for sale. With several items marked 50 percent off.
This is Ron and Shirley Slaymakers’ second year at the flea market.
There will be a free cancer screening booth in front of the courthouse, sponsored by the Kansas Masonic Foundation. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and is required for participation. Participants will receive free cancer-prevention information, free prostate screenings, free breast cancer risk assessments and free skin cancer analysis.
Also at the flea market is Chalkfest and a car show.
The annual Relay For Life will be from 6 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Saturday at the Emporia High School track. This year carries a cowboy theme — Roundup for a Cure. Events begin at 6 p.m. with a survivors’ lap. Children’s games and team challenges will take place all night long. Luminaria can be purchased for $10 each and decorated. They will be lit after dark and will surround the track. The candles pay tribute to those lost to cancer and honor those who have survived.
The Hispanics of Today and Tomorrow will host Fiesta 2006 from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday and noon to 10 p.m. Sunday. Saturday’s events will be at Las Casitas Park with music by Halcones Musical. Sunday will kick off with a parade that starts at South Avenue and Congress Street and ends at Las Casitas Park. Halcones Musical will perform Sunday from 6 to 10 p.m.
For furry friends, there will be a pooch plunge from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday at Jones Aquatic Center. The pool will be drained of all chemicals so the pets can enjoy a day of swimming. All dogs must be at least 6 months old, have vaccinations and wear tags. No other pets will be permitted. A maximum of two dogs per owner is allowed. The cost is $5 per dog. Their people are admitted free.