St. Regis Flea Market back for biggest shopping extravaganza of the summer

ST. REGIS - In a matter of days, the vendors will bring along sellable goods to fill the St. Regis Community Park for Montana’s largest outdoor flea market.

May 24-26 will mark the 38th year of the St. Regis Flea Market. From daylight to dusk, shoppers will fill the streets of St. Regis for as much shopping as they can handle. 

Vendors will try to claim the best spot early, even arriving May 22. However, they won’t be able to set up until the next day.

Anita Bailey, one of the event organizers, said that vendors will visit Mineral County from western and eastern Montana, Coeur d’Alene, Spokane, Wash. and elsewhere.  

Those in attendance can expect the same outdoor fun they have been promised for 38 years, although there will be one noticeable change.

“There will be an ATM machine on site this year,” Bailey said.  

The machine will only be brought in for the flea market and will be removed after the event. Having an ATM on site provides more convenience and immediate cash instead of going elsewhere in St. Regis. 

As always, Bailey projects a full slate of vendors for this year. As of now there are at least 150 on board to sell goodies. Concession stands will be available to provide breakfast, lunch and dinner to those who plan on spending all day at the event.

A snow cone vendor will also be on hand, as will cotton candy.

The St. Regis Community Council will sell food at the concession stands too, with the proceeds benefiting local community organizations and projects.

Thousands of people are expected to come from all over bringing a lot of traffic with them into the St. Regis area. Bailey said a lot of travelers notice the event from the highway and make a stop during their trip. 

Since Bailey is usually inside helping with the event, she rarely gets a chance to notice how many people are actually coming in or out during the flea market.

“I’ve heard it’s chaotic, and people line up on the freeway to get in,” she said. “It’s almost like a carnival-type of atmosphere.”

Usual products sold include wood furniture, artwork, guns, fishing poles, purses, leather biker gear, yarn and knitted projects. 

Numerous volunteers also help work the event. Glenn Koepke of the St. Regis Community Council will deal with traffic, like putting out cones, and keeping the driveway to the event clear while trying to keep cars from parking in areas they aren’t supposed to be. Koepke will also deal with security issues if necessary.

The Mineral County Chamber of Commerce estimates that the St. Regis Flea Market spends at least $4,000 in advertising annually, as well as providing toilet facilities, garbage disposal services and everything else that makes the flea market a yearly success. 

“It seems like it rains every year, but no matter what the weather is the show will go on,” Bailey said. “If it rains, you keep going anyway.”