Every year in May, local residents participate in the Hempfield recCenter's Memorial Day Flea Market to catch up with their neighbors, browse a wide variety of merchandise and hopefully get rid of boxes of unused items found during spring cleaning. This year, the event will take place on Monday, May 27, at Amos Herr Park, 1700 Nissley Road, Landisville. The rain-or-shine outdoor flea market will be held from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the proceeds will support Hempfield recCenter's community service initiatives.

Refreshments will be available to purchase throughout the day from several food trucks, including The Eggroll Lady, Foltz's Pretzels, Bricker's Famous French Fries, The Donut Guys and homemade ice cream vendor Fertile Valley Farm. The Hempfield Fire Police will offer parking by donation.

In the past, vendors have sold items such as handmade crafts, plants, antique collectibles, gardening tools and kitchen items. Vendors may rent a space for the flea market for a set price, which includes a 20-by-20-foot area to place a stand or tent. Vendors may register by contacting Catherine Hamby at 717-898-3102, ext. 141, or chamby@hempfieldrec.com.

The proceeds from the flea market will benefit several community outreach programs organized by Hempfield recCenter. The rec center's programs include the Everyone Belongs initiative, which serves as a financial assistance program to make its activities accessible to anyone in the community. Through the Everyone Belongs fund, Hempfield recCenter is able to cover registration fees for individuals who cannot afford to participate in youth athletic classes, summer camps and other programs. The rec center often partners with Hempfield School District to meet the needs of students in the area.

In addition to the Everyone Belongs campaign, the proceeds from the flea market will help the rec center continue community service efforts such as distributing gift cards to local families during the holiday season. "The flea market itself is a tradition that hasn't changed much over the years. But we continue to explore ways Hempfield recCenter can be a part of the community, whether in-house or reaching out beyond our walls," said Hamby, the rec center's membership director. The flea market is organized each year through a partnership between Hempfield recCenter and the East Hempfield Township.

For more information, visit https://hempfieldrec.com/programs/memorial-day-flea-market.