Jason Teakle
BRANT NEWS

The sound of country music and the scent of barbecued hamburgers filled the air in Burford on Saturday.

Despite rainy weather in the morning, the annual Burford Flea Market drew thousands to the County of Brant town looking for deals from vendors and residents peddling their wares.

“We try to make it a community event that happens once a year to bring family back home to Burford to see each other,” flea market chairperson Vic Richardson said. “It’s just a fun day for everybody and a chance to sell some items.

“This is the first time it has rained (during the sale) in 10 years. We usually have about 8,000 people in town throughout the day, but it may be less this year because of the weather.”

Despite the weather, flea market patrons arrived to find little parking, with vehicles lining both sides of King Street.

“The local business owners should be thanked because they usually have to shut down for the market,” Richardson said.

Burford resident Ginette Mueller said she planned ahead to participate in this year’s flea market.

“It’s a social event to enjoy our town and its people,” Mueller said. “It brings people to town that would never come here.”

In her front yard was Mueller’s most impressive item up for sale – a 1950 Peterborough cedar strip canoe going for $950.

“We just never use it,” she said as eyes darted toward the wooden watercraft as people walked by.

Melissa Widdis of Kitchener brought her 18-month old son, Thomas, to the market.

“We were here last year and we’re back looking for more great deals,” Widdis said.