Vendors of all kinds are flocking to West Frankfort this summer for the first-ever downtown flea market, with proceeds benefiting the newly developed Coal Miner's Memorial Park.
The park, sitting just south of the city's Main Street, was a former parking lot turned park to honor coal miners nationwide, including a paved brick path with the names of living and deceased miners. Bricks are still available for purchase.
"This park not only commemorates many of the coal miners in the area, but there is also a special spot just for the Orient No. 2 disaster victims of which almost half came just from the towns of Benton and West Frankfort," event coordinator Stephanie Perry said. "It also affected the other towns in the area with its numerous casualties. This will hopefully help promote community pride for our area, not just West Frankfort. The funds raised during the event will help to pay for future renovations, improvements and maintenance."
The flea market takes place Saturday, June 18, on the closed roadway just east of Coal Miner's Memorial Park.
The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Vendors include Scentsy, 31, Tastefully Simple and food vendors, as well as individuals with handmade items such as bows and jewelry.
"This fundraiser is meant to help showcase the various talents of our community,"?Perry said. "Crafts, collectibles, jewelry, farmer's market items, and local business vendors are all welcome and encouraged to participate."
Vendor spaces are 10-foot sections available for $20 to those providing their own 8-foot table and $25 to those who would like an 8-foot table provided for them.
For more information on the flea market or who to purchase a brick to be placed in the park, contact Perry at (618) 218-1783, Cecilia Uban at (618) 997-7494, or Sharon Ossig at (618) 923-0797.
Also, check the group's Facebook page under Coal Miner's Memorial Park for updates on downtown events.
