All night flea market offers adventure, bargains in Wheaton
Grab a flashlight, toss on your pajamas and brew a fresh pot of coffee.
The Wheaton All Night Flea Market is back.
“It's just a unique, fun way to spend an evening,” said Robert Zurko, head of Zurko Promotions.
The 35th annual event opens at 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20, and runs through 4 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 21, at the DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Road.
Zurko and his team took over the market's planning 11 years ago and have since developed it into what he says is the only one of its kind in the country.
“It's quite an adventure,” Zurko said.
For $7, eager shoppers can gain full access to hundreds of flea market vendors, more than 20 food stalls and live entertainment
“We've got some dealers coming from as far as Texas,” said Jim Decker of Zurko Promotions.
In recent years, the group has begun to focus on appearances from celebrities and musicians to entertain the late-night crowd.
Throughout the evening actors such as Lou Ferrigno from TV's “The Incredible Hulk” and Larry Thomas, the Soup Nazi from “Seinfeld,” are scheduled to have meet and greets.
There also will be musical performances by ‘60s legend Harvey Scales, who will be performing with Little Richard's horn section.
Zurko and Decker are not the only ones raving about the annual event.
The Wheaton All Night Flea Market has even been designated as one of the top 10 flea markets in the country by the Discovery Channel and typically draws between 6,000 and 8,000 people over the course of its 12 hours.
“Treasure hunting at night,” Zurko said. “It's all about treasure hunting, that's why people go to these.”
If you can't make it this weekend, be sure to put the first Haunted Halloween Flea Market on your calendar.
That event will be held from 4 p.m. to midnight Saturday, Oct. 29, in Wheaton and will have a $6 admission fee.