Flea market returned to Cobblestone Museum on Saturday after long absence

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 August 2022 at 11:08 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

GAINES – Lisa Mannella of L & S Creative Designs is shown with a display of country craft items that she makes with Stephanie Rustay. They were one of 27 vendors at a flea market on Saturday at the Cobblestone Museum.

The flea market returned after more than 20 years. The event was a popular summer event at the museum in the 1980s and ’90s, said Sue Bonafini, assistant director at the museum.

She noted many of the vendors were busy on Saturday, with some selling at least half of the items they brought for the sale.

The museum also sold out on all 100 hot dogs it cooked for the flea market.

Frank Ferri of Medina spins wool from a sheep next to his booth of primitive items. Ferri said twisting the wool gives it strength.

“It’s a great conversation starter,” he said while sitting outside the historic Ward House on Route 104.

Ed Shorey of Albion brought a collection of vintage and new fishing lures, which he said were popular with the crowd at the flea market. Some of the older lures were made of wood from the 1940s and ’50s. He is impressed by the artistry in the older lures, especially the eyes that were carved by hand.