Preparing for a Flea Market with a Pop-Up Tent

Warmer weather means two things: Spring cleaning and outdoor events. Flea markets, essentially, end up being a convergence of these aspects. When you have some old items you want to sell, signing up and putting your wares out at a stall is very simple.

But, what many forget about is, rain can always hit, making the items you’re selling damp and, frankly, undesirable. As a result, any flea market regular can tell you that bringing along and setting up a pop-up canopy is essential.

For one, the canopy is easy to put together. And, second, once up, it shades you from sun on those bright days and protects you from rain. However, don’t just grab any old shelter. Instead, consider these points:

1. Make Sure It’s Usable

This point might seem obvious, but when was the last time you took out your pop-up tent – for a picnic last summer? Since it has been in storage, check its top for holes. If water can come through, the shelter won’t do you much good.

Furthermore, what’s the quality of the fabric? These polyester or polyethylene covers are treated to be UV resistant and waterproof, and if it shows clear signs of wear, you won’t receive all the protection needed.

2. Make Sure You Can Transport It and Set It Up

At the flea market, there are only going to be one or two people at your stall, so make sure the shelter’s something you can handle. Ideally, you should be able to pack it into a carry bag, take it out when you’re setting up, and, with another person, unfold the legs and top.

3. Make Sure It Covers Everything

Essentially, everything you have – table and wares – needs to fit under the canopy. However, with certain pop-up tents, the shade might be less than you expect. For instance, a 10 ft. by 10 ft. style with slanted legs only covers a 7 ft. by 7 ft. area once set up.

To get the math right, measure your table and supplies at home to determine how much space they’ll take up. Then, make sure your canopy – ideally, a straight-legged shelter – covers more than that amount with shade.

4. Anchor It

You’ve gotten to this point – a sturdy design you can take to the flea market that covers you and your belongings fully – so it’s a disappointment when a large gust of wind blows it over. As you can’t always fully predict the weather, prepare with anchors. Stakes are sufficient if you’re setting up on a grassy area, but if it’s asphalt, sandbags help keep it stable.

5. Consider More Coverage

Compounding to the last concept, you can’t ever be too prepared for bad weather. So, along with your canopy, consider adding a couple of gazebo walls for side coverage, or netting if you predict insects being an annoyance.

Don’t have a pop-up canopy yet? Get ready with Portable Garage Depot. Our store has a choice of temporary shelters and matching accessories. Start browsing our large selection today.

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