Fishing rods, apparel, crafts and other marine products await you as you begin to stroll through the Florida Keys’ largest shopping event of the year. And don’t forget about the boat show, the food truck rally and Rotary beverage booths.
The Upper Keys Rotary Club’s signature fundraiser — the Gigantic Nautical Flea Market — is back and better than ever with hundreds of vendors from Florida and other states descending on the Founders Park on Saturday, Feb. 25 and Sunday, Feb. 26. Presented by Keys Deck and Dock Supply, the 28th running of this two-day event presents a little bit of everything for adults and kids to explore from outboards and ocean-themed crafts to fishing gear and fillet tables.
For the second-straight year, the gargantuan shopping event utilizes more of Founders Park’s spacious grounds to give attendees more room to walk from tent to tent. After all, more than 300 vendors have set up shop to show you some of their finest products.
This shopping event, boat show and food truck extravaganza is raising money for scholarships for local students who are preparing to take on the world. Since the event’s inception, millions of dollars have been raised to support the dreams of many students (flip through this program and you’ll see more than 30 testimonials on the impact the Upper Keys Rotary Club had and continues to have on these young men and women). In the past 28 months, the Upper Keys Rotary Club and Key Largo Club awarded more than $300,000 in direct benefits to more than 170 Coral Shores students.
“We are ecstatic to bring this major shopping experience back to Islamorada for the 28th year,” said Rotarian Frank Derfler. “And it’s not just shopping; we also call it ‘The Boat Show with a Beach’ and a food truck rally.”
“Our main goal of this event is raising money to support scholarships for local kids pursuing an education after high school, whether through college, trade school or certification. We’ve awarded more than $2.5 million in the nearly three decades of this event,” Derfler continued.
WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 25 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday Feb. 26 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
WHERE: Founders Park, Mile Marker 87, bayside, Islamorada.
PARKING: Park at Coral Shores High School, Mile Marker 89.9, oceanside. Take a shuttle that runs continuously on both days (It’s the best way to get to this event). Last bus from the flea market is 5:15 p.m. on Saturday and 3:15 p.m. on Sunday.
GATE: The gates are located at the southwest end of the park at the fire station and the main entrance to Founders Park. Suggested admission is $5 for ages 17 and up (cash only). All funds go to scholarships!
FOOD: Find 18 food trucks and various drink stations — like the Bloody Mary and Rum Punch tents — as you walk around the park.
