INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A few thousand people braved the heat and humidity Saturday in search of deals and seafood during the Nautical Flea Market and Seafood Festival at the Indian River County Fairgrounds, which continues Sunday.
With everything from snorkel gear and home décor to kayaks and speed boats, visitors to the festival had plenty to peruse while working up an appetite for the lobster rolls, fish tacos, gyros and other tasty treats.
“We had a good time,” said Jay Spivey, a Fellsmere resident who came out to the fairgrounds with his friend Dobie Turner, also of Fellsmere.
“It was nice,” Turner said as the men made their way back to their vehicle.
Turner went in search of fishing tackle, which he found at the flea market. Spivey scored flip flops, a T-shirt and something for his mom.
“There’s not much under $7, but that’s OK,” Spivey said.
Fred and Carol Venti, of Sebastian, brought their grandson, Michael, from Pennsylvania, to the Nautical Flea Market and Seafood Festival if for no other reason than to enjoy the fresh air.
“It’s something new,” Michael said of going to such an event, adding that he hadn’t been to anything like it back home.
“We were just browsing,” Carol said.
Fred had been hunting for a specific kayak, but didn’t have any luck.
“They have kayaks,” he said, “just not what I wanted.”
The vendors at the festival, too, braved the heat in hopes that shoppers would come in search of deals.
“Sales are good,” said Christine Keegan, whose husband, Dan, owns Piranha Rod Racks of West Palm Beach. “It always could be better.”
Keegan said this was a first for them – coming out to the Nautical Flea Market and Seafood Festival at the Fairgrounds.
“We’re enjoying it,” she said.
Ray Markey, of Markey Sales in Dania, Fla., sat under a tent trying to stay cool and out of the sun.
“It’s been a little slow,” he said, noting that the weather could be partly to blame. Markey added that he doesn’t normally do summer shows because of the heat.
Markey doesn’t intend to let the heat deter him from future shows, though.
“I’ve already signed up for next year,” he said.
Some visitors to the fairgrounds Saturday decided to divide and conquer – some going to see the boats that were up for auction, others going to the food.
“We’re here to eat,” said Ft. Pierce resident Stephanie Nimblette, referring to her companions, Mayleene Nimblette and Suzanne Demers.
She added that her husband, on the other hand, was at the festival for the auction.
The trio stopped at one food booth and picked up Maine lobster rolls “because it looked good,” said Vero Beach resident Demers.
The women planned to do a bit of browsing and perhaps pick up a few items while Nimblette’s husband inspected the boats on the auction block.
The auction begins at 11 a.m. Sunday.
The festival continues Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Indian River County Fairgrounds, 7955 58th Ave., Vero Beach. The cost is $7 for adults; children under 12 get in free. For more information or a $2-off admission coupon, visit http://www.flnauticalfleamarket.com.
