Hamel Lions Flea Market

A fairly large flea market I attended a few times last year, once with my friend Chris who set up a booth (I sold an old receiver and a cd player that day...) and once this year, so far. It's not crazy big like other state's flea markets but it consumes the entire Medina Entertainment Center lot and an entire gravel overflow section above the Center.There's a lot of antique-type stuff that seemed semi useless to me, but people were buying it, tons of local-related sports memorabilia, and even a guy pitching "professional grade" rug cleaner a la Billy Mays! I can walk around for a couple hours easily. It has always been well attended the times I've gone. The organiser rolls around a different points with meat raffle tickets for $1, and there's a soda/mini donut wagon parked. All of that being said, it's a low-key, lazy affair. Tip for first time visitors: if you're coming in from Minneapolis direction, make the turn just before The Medina (at the lights), the parking is in a grassy field behind the flea market. You can't miss it. Edit: I should add that it's held on Sundays and has been known to cancel for weather reasons.

I was in the market for home furnishings when I went to the Hamel Lions Flea Market. I didn't find much but holy cow, so much junk! Lots of glassware, garage trinkets, and handmade craft-show type 'decor'. The good: It's close to my house so it's a free Saturday activity when nothing else is going on. Plus the Lions have a food booth with good snacks.The bad: Parking is terrible. Get there early to get a spot and to avoid the crowds. The ugly: The Medina Entertainment Center parking lot is on a hill. You can imagine what happens to wagons full of 'goodies' and unattended strollers.

Wow. Doo-dad's, thing-a-ma-jig's, and what-not's galore!!! This is the ONLY way to describe this place. I grew up just west of where this flea market is held, and I have been going to it since I was quite young. People come from far away places to sell their treasures...and in turn...people come from far away places to buy said treasures...I mean, where else in the Twin Cities can you buy a vintage Nintendo game, an antique bench, and a baby ferret - all in the same place?Even if you don't buy anything - rummaging through the acres of goodies is a really fun way to spend a Sunday morning!