A Day at the Public Market
Recently I took a trip to the Coliseum Swap Meet. It was my first time at a swap meet/flea market/whatever you want to call it, so I had no idea what to expect. My experience was pleasant and I want to share it with you so you know what a typical day at the swap meet looks like.
One of the first things I noticed was that the price of admission varies day-to-day. Admission is $0.50 on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, $0.75 on Tuesday and Friday, $1.25 on Saturday and $1.50 on Sunday. Prices vary for vendors as well, depending on whether the vendor wishes to reserve a daily, monthly or yearly space, which I thought was pretty interesting.
I arrived at 9:00am on a Friday. The gates open at 6:00 am, so I highly recommend getting there early, especially if you are in the market for electronics (they sell out quickly). By the time I got there, some vendors had already packed up and left and some were still arriving.
Inside the swap meet, there is a spacious concession area directly to the left full of murals, Christmas decorations, arcade games, and a wide variety of food. Safe to say that was my first stop on the tour. The snack bar serves traditional food you would find at any location, like hot dogs, popcorn, cotton candy, etc.
What really separates the swap meet’s snack bar is the fact that it serves breakfast. I treated myself to a chorizo torta, which I highly recommend. Visiting the concession area is a must at the Coliseum Swap Meet. Whether you go for a bite to eat, to play video games or just relax for a bit, you won’t be disappointed.
After filling up on a much-needed breakfast, I had to walk off the food coma. Walking around the swap meet and seeing the various items vendors had on display was a unique experience. It felt like you could literally find anything there. Some vendors were selling clothes, used tools, new and used electronics, fresh produce, and everyday household appliances. I think I was most shocked to see you can buy daily necessities, such as toothpaste, medicine, shower essentials, and much more at reasonable prices.
In addition to the numerous rows of vendors, there are two stages for live music equipped with beer stands. Unfortunately, live music only occurs on the weekends so I wasn’t able to attain the full experience.
It seems the Coliseum Swap Meet is a quiet, spacious venue during the week and livelier on the weekends, when there is an array of entertainment options, creating an ample amount of fun for the whole family.
Although I wasn’t able to get the entire swap meet experience during my visit, I felt like it was a day well spent. Whether you like shopping in peace and quiet or with family while listening to live music, visiting the Coliseum Swap Meet is fun for everyone!
