The enormously popular Vintage Market Days, the traveling pop-up indoor/outdoor market, will return to the Florida Strawberry Festival Grounds, located at 2508 W. Oak Ave., this weekend for a three-day shopping event with the theme “Bloom.”
The upscale market will feature more than 100 vendors, some local and some from all around the country, displaying a wide variety of vintage goods, including original art, antiques, clothing, jewelry, handmade treasures, home decor, outdoor furnishings, consumable yummies and seasonal plantings. There’s even food trucks (including Smitty’s Hand-Dipped Buttermilk Corn Dogs, a taco truck and Loaded Spudz) and live music.
Justin and Dana Friesen are the masterminds behind the event. The couple own a screen-printing boutique, selling their one-of-a-kind t-shirts at pop-up markets all across the country. They loved selling at their favorite market, Vintage Market Days, so much they decided to buy it. “It seemed like the next logical step for us, and being vendors we brought so much experience with us,” said Dana Friesen.
In a world where you can click and get anything you want delivered to your home in days, vintage is special because buyers talk to the people who picked that item and learn about its unique history. “You can’t find that at Hobby Lobby,” said Friesen.
The vendors are also decorating aficionados, ready to assist shoppers by sharing their design prowess. “They’re ready to help you make something beautiful with whatever space you have,” said Friesen.
Vendors will be set up in the Grimes Family Agricultural Center and Astin Farms Pavilion.
“We are excited to welcome thousands of people from all over the area to come to Plant City with their girlfriends, have a coffee and donut, leisurely do some shopping, eat lunch at one of our food trucks and then shop some more,” said Friesen.
Event hours are Fri., April 12 (an Early Buying Event) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sat., April 13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sun., April 14 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission to Vintage Market Days is $15 on Friday or $10 on Saturday/Sunday. Children under 12 are free. Visitors can snap a selfie in front of one of the spring-themed walls and that photo is your re-entry ticket, good for re-entry into the event all weekend.
Parking is free. First Assembly of God Plant City’s youth ministry will be assisting with parking and porter service, where large items like furniture will be held and loaded in your vehicle when you’ve finished shopping). A free bag drop area also allows visitors to shop hands-free shopping (no need to carry your purchases).
Learn more about Vintage Market Days at vintagemarketdays.com, and follow along on Facebook and Instagram for a preview of the goods.