Early Hours at the Elephant’s Trunk Flea Market in New Milford
Tanya Wilson and Chris Novello, employees of Elephant’s Trunk, oversee admittance to the field. Vendors hoping to sell goods, antiques and oddities arrive and line up well before the gates open at 4:15 am. New Milford, CT on Apr. 10, 2016.
Having arrived well before the Elephant’s Trunk gate opens at 4:15 am, Kevin Picard, who journeyed from Springfield, MA is one of the first vendors to begin unloading his wares onto the field. New Milford, CT on Apr. 10, 2016.
Shortly after vendors arrive to the market early buyers follow, hoping to strike a deal before the sun rises and with it, the crowds. Armed with flashlights, these dedicated collectors, dealers, and enthusiasts begin their search before the vendors have even finished unloading. New Milford, CT on Apr. 10, 2016.
Kevin, of Springfield, MA, shows his still-packed van of wares to Jared from Pound Ridge, NY. Early buyers arrive shortly after vendors and before regular entry in hopes of finding rareites before the crowds get there. New Milford, CT on Apr. 10, 2016.
Various goods on display before most buyers arrive to the Elephant’s Trunk Flea Market in New Milford, CT on Sunday, Apr.10, 2016.
A calm before the storm — dedicated early buyers, who pay extra to shop unhinderd by the daylight crowds, continue their search from vendor to vendor just as the dawn twilight appears.
A horse trailer that has been repurposed to transport goods to the Elephant’s Trunk Flea Market.
Vendors and early buyers seek to settle a deal in the early morning hours at the Elephant’s Trunk flea market, using flashlights to illuminate wares in the dim light in New Milford, CT on Sunday, Apr.10, 2016.
Christine and Barry Behm travelled from Long Island on Sunday night to the market as first-time vendors, having attended as buyers in previous seasons.
A lone pair of boots stand atop a trio of trunks at the Elephant’s Trunk Flea market. Unusual sites such as this are common at the weekly flea market.
Chuck Flynn of Shelton, CT, a buyer and reseller who owns Treasures and Things, displays a model ship he hopes will “sale” away by the end of the day.
Vendors as well as buyers specialize their collections and searches to genres, like musical instruments or comic books or Lego figurines.
Having finished setting up his wares for display, Rags Rosenberg of Montgomery, NY waits for the crowds of people to take a look and make a sale. Rags is an experienced Elephant’s Trunk vendor, having attended these flea markets for over 18 years.
Chuck Haegele of Hammacroix NY andKim Dolent of Steventown NY continue to unload their wares as the sun rises on the field at Elephant’s Trunk in New Milford, CT.
Tammy Jackson of Hamden, CT displays her wares at Elephant’s Trunk Flea Market in New Milford on Sunday, Apr. 10, 2016. This is her second summer as a vendor there and plans to be at the market every Sunday this season.