Rogers Open Air Market - Rogers Community Auction

This is one of my favorite places on Earth! No kidding! I've been going to this since I was a child and ended up living just minutes away as an adult. 

The "Rogers Sale" or "The Sale" as it is referred to in Columbiana County, Ohio is located in Rogers, Ohio and was started in 1948 as a produce auction and has grown since then into a huge...and I mean, HUGE...outdoor flea market.  There is no admission and parking (70 acres worth) is all free! You just pay to shop.

I will never do The Sale justice on this blog but let it suffice to say that I have found the best deals of my life at this place.  In fact, I have joked for year that I furnished my first apartment in 'Early Rogers Sale' style.  Besides the farm auction which includes lots of farm equipment, live animals and other junk, there are multiple buildings holding vendors who sell everything from bulk candy to car tires which they will put on while you wait.  Pavilions cover other vendors whose wares would be damaged by a rain storm but many vendors just set up their tables and tents along the graveled / dirt walkways through the trees and along the stream. 

Amish citizens sell the best baked goods you can buy.  I HIGHLY recommend the glazed doughnuts that they hand dip for you. There is no better taste in the world in my opinion.  Other folks sell antiques, vintage, specialty collections, handmade goods, handicrafts, farm equipment, yard sale fodder and food vendors are scattered throughout.  An afternoon of sale shopping followed by a hot sausage sandwich and some Amish pie is what its all about for me! People come from all over Ohio and neighboring states to go to 'The Sale'.

The Sale is only open on FRIDAYS! Check out their website at http://www.rogersohio.com/open-air-market/ and is open from 7:30 a.m. until about 10:00 p.m.  However, I will warn you that the mentality of the vendors has changed over the 40 years I have been visiting The Sale! You need to get their early as many vendors will call it a day and leave if the traffic flow is light and many leave before 5:oo p.m. I don't know why this is since The Sale is held on a workday and most people do not get off of work before 5:00 p.m.

Be prepared to haggle over prices.  Ask for the lowest price or a discount of just about everything. Larger produce vendors will not negotiate on prices but most others will "make you a deal" if you ask.  Propose a price and ask if they will honor it.  I rarely pay the asking price on anything other than produce! Don't be shy, this is a business transaction and everybody wants to work out the best price.

This gets me to the point of this blog: This is a great place for vintage shopping. Many of the vendors are mid west folks who still have attics and garages full of vintage / collectible items.  I have found vintage 1960's organs (musical equipment), holiday decorations (boxes of Christmas lights with original bulbs), kitchen equipment (mixers, blenders, etc.).  Among my favorite all time finds were an inflatable mushroom lamp (1960's or 1970's maybe) and a 1950's 'Atomic' styled wall clock with a sun burst design and of course, my 1960's Farfisa organ!

The Sale is open ALL YEAR long but nice weather (up until late October) is the best time to make the trip and find your own treasures.  Make the trip and let me know what you think and what your new favorite finds are and I will feature you in my blog.

Allan