Valley Village Flea Market & Craft Fair Still In The Works, Seeking Sponsors

The North Hollywood area has been long overdue for its own flea market. Though we've got plenty of nearby options (Pasadena City College on the first Sunday of each month, the second Sunday's the Rose Bowl and the third Sunday is Glendale Community College), I've always thought we deserved one in our own community. So when I saw the Patch event listing for a at the every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., I couldn't help but get a bit giddy.

But when I stopped by the school a month or so ago, I was greeted by nothing but an empty parking lot behind a locked chain-link fence. Maybe I misread the listing, I thought, or perhaps I came too late and all the vendors have packed up and left early. I double-checked the Patch listing (thanks, smartphone!) and confirmed I was indeed at the right place and the right time. After walking the Country School's perimeter and getting no answer on the listed phone number, I begrudgingly headed back home clutching my empty reusuable shopping bags.

I called , the organizer of the invisible flea market, to see what's going on.  

"I jumped the gun," Adair admitted. He posted the Patch event listing with the intention that the flea market & craft fair would be up and running by July 31, but there had been some setbacks, he said. But now that all "the serious groundwork has been done," he said, and he and the Country School are ready to move forward. If everything goes according to their plans, the event should be up and running by early December, he said.

But in order to get the fair from an idea on paper to reality, Adair said sponsors are needed who can pay for banners, fliers and ad space in publications like L.A. Weekly to promote the event. Without advertising, "it won't be a worthwhile event" if people don't know about it, said Adair, and he's reaching out to everyone from big businesses like Wells Fargo Bank to local family-owned shops for funding.

Adair, who's also an artist and fashion designer, opened , , in March not too far from the Country School.In addition to showcasing his own work made from recycled clothing, he often holds art shows of local artists. At a recent opening over 200 people stopped by to see the work of a relatively new artist, he said.

Originally from Venice, Adair was inspired by the creativity of his home city and wanted to contribute to the NoHo Arts District. He said the Valley Village Flea Market & Craft Fair will be an "eclectic" cultural event with an "art-based, visually stimulating" vibe while still remaining "classy, but not too expensive." It will include a couple of booths selling collectible vintage and antique items as seen at the larger markets, but for the most part, the main focus will be showcasing local artists. Spoken word performances, live music and other interactive art forms are also in the plans, he said.

Now that the brand-new is finally here, another outdoor event that encourages local artists and bring in more of the arts will definitely be welcomed by the community with open arms.