Annual Hooper Park Flea Market sees busy comeback

The annual Hooper Park Flea Market returned to Lincoln last weekend with a near record-setting number of vendors booked.

Forty-five of the 50 vendors booked for the sale showed up, according to event organizer Jill Sallin. This year was her first full year organizing the event. In 2019, she took over the event just a few weeks before it took place. Last year, the event was canceled due to COVID-19. The flea market was originally started by Jill's mother, Jesse Sallin.

"I went to Clancy for a sale one year, and Pat and I thought if Clancy can do it, so can Lincoln," Jesse said, adding, "I feel it is very good for the town. Lots of vendors eat at the Pit Stop. Some stay at the motels."

The event drew plenty of attendees, with parking overflowing the park's parking lot onto the side of the highway.

"Friday was busier than I expected. Saturday was steady. Sunday is always a slow start, and we have a couple busy hours. Friday there were people parked along the highway, and I have never seen that before," said Jill.

While there were a lot of repeat vendors, Jill estimates one-quarter of the vendors were new the sale this year.

One of these first-time vendors was Luella Schultz, owner of LS Pottery in Helena. She started throwing pottery around 2007, but said she didn't improve her skill or get more productive until after she retired.

"I bought my own kiln and got it up and running this year and then with COVID, I bought a wheel, so I could do that, but when you're working full time and I traveled, I didn't accomplish a whole bunch," said Schultz.

Schultz read about the event on Facebook and decided that the three day event would be a good opportunity to take her newly repaired RV out camping.

"I've always wanted to camp here (in Lincoln), and so I thought that would sorta work out really well, because I'd be doing two things," said Schultz, adding, "If I move pottery, that's a plus."

The Montana Independent Living Project also had a booth at the flea market for the first time, with the goal to promote their services to Lincoln residents. MILP shared their booth with folks from the Rural Institute in Missoula, who are currently doing a survey to find out more about the needs of disabled people living in rural areas.

"We're trying to do outreach to the community, because I'm trying to get services to Lincoln," said Maria Stout, who is an independent living specialist with MILP.

"I help people live independently in their communities by providing services with whatever they need," she added.

In addition to information referral services, MILP has a number of other projects, said independent living specialist Charles Alvarez. These services include peer support groups, like the organization's newly created men's group; technology support in the form of tablets provided in part through the CARES Act; classes and educational programs; and adaptive and accessible recreation opportunities.

"It's all about independence and inclusion," said Alvarez.

Another new vendor is Lincoln resident Sabrina Inskeep, who started her business, The 406 Candle Cottage, in December of last year.

She had been looking for a hobby during the pandemic and when she saw a Facebook ad for candles, she decided that was what she wanted to do.

"When the flea market started, I was just like, I'm doing it. I just took a leap," said Inskeep, adding "So far here at the flea market, it's been really well. You know, a lot of lookers, but everybody's very friendly."