The Hempfield recCenter will host its annual Labor Day Flea Market on Monday, Sept. 4, at Amos Herr Park, 1700 Nissley Road, Landisville. The rain-or-shine event will be held from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., and it will feature a variety of local vendors and food trucks. The rec center will use the proceeds from the flea market to support its financial assistance program and other community outreach efforts.

More than 175 vendors will be in attendance, and they will offer items such as vintage collectibles, antiques, plants, handmade crafts, jewelry and birdhouses. Limited space for vendors is still available; those interested may call Catherine Hamby at 717-898-3102, ext. 141.

A variety of food will be available to purchase from food trucks such as The Eggroll Lady, Bricker's Famous French Fries, Foltz's Pretzels, The Donut Guys and a homemade ice cream vendor.

During the last community flea market on Memorial Day, the Hempfield Fire Department partnered with the rec center to assist with parking. Members of the fire department will return to offer parking by donation for the Labor Day Flea Market in exchange for a donation from Hempfield recCenter.

The Labor Day Flea Market was created by the Hempfield Woman's Club more than 40 years ago. The club partnered with the Hempfield recCenter in 2011 to ensure that the growing event was adequately staffed, and the rec center took over the event entirely in 2019.

The funds raised by parking donations and vendor spaces will benefit the Hempfield recCenter's Everyone Belongs campaign. Everyone Belongs is a financial assistance program that allows families to acquire memberships and participate in activities. The proceeds of the flea market will also support the rec center's many other free community events, such as nature walks, educational programs and yoga in the park. Through a partnership with West Hempfield Township, the Hempfield recCenter maintains local parks in exchange for using them for its programs. "(These programs) are a great way for us to be a part of the community outside of our walls," said Catherine Hamby, membership director for the rec center. "They're opportunities for people to experience another aspect of Hempfield."

The Hempfield recCenter will offer several free programs at local parks this fall. On Saturday, Sept. 23, it will host a fall foliage and tree identification course, and an educational presentation will be offered on owls in October. For more information, visit https://hempfieldrec.com.