Dave Sawyer of Morton, right, peruses the hat collection of Arlee Trichia, left, on Thursday at the Packwood Flea Market. Sawyer purchased the Dorfman hat for $14, which he explained was a "minor" discount. Trichia, a vendor at the flea market for over 20 years, sells a variety of items including knives, sports gear and devil masks.
David Livezey helps a customer with questions about a knife in his booth at the Packwood Flea Market on Thursday.
Laurie Livezey offers her orange-winged Amazon, Squeaker, a sip of her whiskey and coke on Thursday at the Packwood flea market. Laurie and her husband David, from Federal Way, have been vendors at the Packwood flea market for 15 years and travel around the country in a converted bus selling a variety of goods at flea markets across the country.
Randy, right, and L.J. Thorp set up their booth for Scentsy Wickless Candles on Thursday at the Packwood flea market. This will be the second year the Thorps, from Wenatchee, have participated in the flea market.
Some knives and a devil's mask are on display at Arlee Trichia's booth at the Packwood flea market on Thursday. Trichia, from Beaver Creek, Ore., said he's been coming to the flea market in Packwood for over 20 years and sells a wide variety of items including knives, military regalia and sports equipment.
Both sides of U.S. Highway 12 in Packwood were beginning to fill up with vendors for the Packwood flea market on Thursday.
Bob Chapman, Seattle, sorts through "magic tops" as he unpacks clothing for his booth at the Packwood Flea Market on Thursday. Chapman says he has operatored a booth at the flea market for over 30 years and has 80 feet worth of space Ñ which his says is the largest at the flea market Ñ which will offer an assortment of sandals, hats, clothing, as well as shaved ice. Chapman says it takes him three to four days to set up his booth and will have three temporary employees help him run the space this weekend.
PACKWOOD — Traffic along U.S. Highway 12 has slowed west of White Pass this weekend as vendors from around the Northwest gather in Packwood for the annual Memorial Day flea market.
More than 1,000 vendors set up rows of tents all day Thursday and opened for business Friday morning for the long weekend event.
David Livezey, who has been a vendor at the Packwood flea market for 18 years, rode into town from Federal Way with his wife in their bus.
“I converted the bus myself,” Livezey said. “I like it more than a motorhome.”
Livezey parked the bus on a lot he rented for $550 on Thursday and unloaded his automotive goods and clothing he hopes to sell throughout the weekend.
Livezey said he travels to about eight shows a year around the Northwest, but always enjoys the Packwood flea market, which attracts people from as far as Eastern Washington and Oregon.
Although the flea market brings new people each year, Livesey said he comes back to catch up with familiar faces.
Livezey’s good friend and fellow vendor Arlee Trichia set up his tent next to Livezey’s bus Thursday afternoon.
Trichia, of Beaver Creek, Ore., said he met Livezey while working at an auto parts store in Auburn years ago. Trichia, who started selling goods at the Packwood flea market 21 years ago, said he introduced Livesey to the market.
“We have been good friends,” Trichia said. “Be we are so opposite in our inventory.”
Trichia sells mostly antiques and other miscellaneous items, and like other vendors he has flexible hours this weekend. He will start selling after he eats breakfast and will close when the evening gets too dark to sell goods.
“It’s all about the thrill of the hunt,” Trichia said.
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Kyle Spurr: (360) 807-8239
