Constitution Square is about to come alive again this year as the Newington Kiwanis’ popular Big K Flea Market and Craft Fair opens Sunday, Aug. 25.
The weekly event has two runs per year. Visitors had the opportunity to enjoy it in the springtime, then starting this Sunday, they will be at it again until the last Sunday of October.
On average, each week brings about 60 vendors from across New England, selling both new and recycled household goods and crafts, clothing and tools.
“I enjoy talking to the repeat vendors — the regulars — I also like to see our regular shoppers, people who come back every week loyally,” said Kiwanis Vice President Bill Hall, who notices a lot of market visitors come from out-of-town and hopes to run into more Newington folks this year, especially since they are the main beneficiaries of the club’s donations.
The weekly event has two runs per year. Visitors had the opportunity to enjoy it in the springtime, then starting this Sunday, they will be at it again until the last Sunday of October.
On average, each week brings about 60 vendors from across New England, selling both new and recycled household goods and crafts, clothing and tools.
“I enjoy talking to the repeat vendors — the regulars — I also like to see our regular shoppers, people who come back every week loyally,” said Kiwanis Vice President Bill Hall, who notices a lot of market visitors come from out-of-town and hopes to run into more Newington folks this year, especially since they are the main beneficiaries of the club’s donations.
All vendor fees and admission collected — usually totaling upward of $20,000 — is donated to local charitable civic and educational efforts. Most are Newington-based, including like Newington’s Student Assistance Fund, Newington’s Memorial Day Parade and Newington’s NCTV Community Cable Channel. The Salvation Army in New Britain is one of just a few recipients outside of Newington.
“Many dedicated Kiwanis members gain satisfaction from working shifts in behalf of these and other worthy Newington goals,” said Current Program Chair Al Cohen, who has been a Kiwanis member since the mid-’80s.
He remembers when Vincent Bellantuono organized the very first market in 1992. Up until about seven years ago it was located on the Berlin Turnpike at the old Hartford Drive-In.
Currently, the shops and restaurants around Market and Constitution Squares can benefit from upward of 1,000 visitors on Sundays.
“Many dedicated Kiwanis members gain satisfaction from working shifts in behalf of these and other worthy Newington goals,” said Current Program Chair Al Cohen, who has been a Kiwanis member since the mid-’80s.
He remembers when Vincent Bellantuono organized the very first market in 1992. Up until about seven years ago it was located on the Berlin Turnpike at the old Hartford Drive-In.
Currently, the shops and restaurants around Market and Constitution Squares can benefit from upward of 1,000 visitors on Sundays.
No comments:
Post a Comment