MERRIMAC — Summer may be officially behind us, but the yard sale season is not over yet. Perhaps the biggest yard sale in town is the Giant Flea Market hosted by the Merrimac Lions Club. The annual event returns to the Laidlaw bus lot at 123 West Main St. on Saturday, Sept. 27, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. In addition to the anticipated 40 vendors, there will be food, drinks and a 50-50 raffle.
"Hundreds of people" are expected to come for "one of our biggest fundraisers," according to Chairman Dick Chaput. "Everybody that comes there is looking for a bargain," he said. "Everybody that's selling something is selling it for a really good price. The two meet there, and they're both happy."
Chaput said that some local residents hold their personal yard sales on the same day because "We draw folks in from out of town. You'll see (West) Main Street all lined up with yard sales. The more the merrier."
Chaput and his wife, Marie, have been chairing the Lions Club flea market since 1992. But he emphasized that they get a lot of help from the 15 Merrimac residents who volunteer to put it together. "We don't do it by ourselves," he said. "We need every single one of them. We have it down to a pretty good routine."
The volunteers don't rest after Saturday's flea market is over. "It's annual," Chaput said. "As soon as this one's over, we're planning next year."
All money raised will be given to Lions Club charities, including scholarships for high school students and eyeglasses to people in need. Chaput said the Lions Club receives calls from school nurses when students need glasses but cannot afford them. "If you're helping somebody, how can you not feel good?" Chaput asked.
"The Lions are always looking for new members," he added. Interested residents can call him at 603-974-2556 or any club member.
