Ronan flea market benefits Garden of Rockies Museum

Vendors lined the inside of the small gym in the building next to the Garden of the Rockies Museum in Ronan on Saturday morning, looking to sell goods of all kinds. 

The flea market event was put together as a way to support the museum. An announcement in March went out to the communities, stating that because of the museum’s financial situation, the Garden of the Rockies would not be opening its doors this summer. Museum volunteer Patti Mocabee pitched the idea to host a flea market to help the organization pay for its expenses and keep the museum open for another summer. Her goal with a flea market was to allow anyone to participate. “I wanted to do something like a yard sale where vendors weren’t obligated to come every time,” she said. “Not like a farmer’s market or bazaar.” 

The museum has a host of exhibits including household items from the pioneer era, farm equipment and some Native American goods. The unique part of this museum is their sources for the material. 

“All the goods came from the Mission Valley,” said Mocabee. 

Keeping the museum open isn’t an issue with a large price tag, but the organization has been lacking in funds recently and the flea market on Saturday helped give the organization a boost of $150 in funds. It may not seem like a lot, but that is half of the monthly upkeep costs for the museum. 

Vendors bought table space for $10 and kept the entirety of what they sold at the market. Mocabee said that this was the goal because it gave an incentive for people to come buy a table. 

There will be more flea markets throughout the summer with the next one set for July 2.