Denio's Farmers Market & Swap Meet — Attraction in Roseville

I got inspired to visit Denio's after reading the article in the Sacramento Bee about the auctions coming back here and thought I would take my daughter and Australian husband here as an "American cultural experience."

Located on a huge lot, you pay $3 to park and entry is free. Lo and behold lie rows upon rows of vendors! Some look like yard sales, some are wholesalers and some set up their own mini shop. Thought it was interesting that you could just buy a Budweiser and walk around.

Husband was ready to leave after an hour. I was intent on hunting down the farmer's market area. Glad I did because I scored some very delicious pineapples ($1 each), avocados (five for $1), fresh roasted peanuts, onions (three pounds for a $1!!!!) and other goodies. Other highlights included:

Pinata vendors - Amazing pinatas with trailing crepe paper. Walking through one booth was like swimming amongst a sea of colorful jellyfish. Cowboy kettle corn - Yes, a guy wearing a cowboy hat makes fresh kettle corn onsite. A generous bag is only $3. Warning: it is addictive. Birds - One lady sold lots of finches, doves, parrots, etc. I was kind of amazed that families would stroll by and casually buy one.

The auction component itself was interesting. If you don't wear a baseball cap, you may not fit in. Some electronics, but lots of boxes selling various sundry items like mac & cheese, sparkling water, etc. There was one box of assorted clothes. Nothing interested me enough to stick around.

I may come back to pick out a pinata down the road, otherwise, it really wasn't my scene. I could see how you could make a day of it though. On a down note, someone in the parking lot driving a red vehicle had scratched our car on the passenger...

Love the place (usually go 2 or 3 times a year), but a bit disappointed on the last visit a few weeks back (arrived between 7 and 730). Parking was fantastic, weather was nice and obviously not crowded at all. The tradition always involved one "cold one" before wandering for hours. However, discovered the concessions did not open early as in the past. In fact they did not open until after 10 (which included the good old corn dogs). Finally got a cold one well after 10 (it was super cold); however, the price for an aluminum bottle was a ridiculous $9.00! Needless to say, they got me for "1" and that was it. Also noticed parking was now $5.00, versus the 2 or 3 I believe it used to be. Spoke to a long time warehoused vendor, who had a "Going out of Business" sign posted out front. Said he believed the owners (inherited family) raised prices and established later concession hours to purposely lower attendance. Last thing, also noticed many vacant spots and not as many garage sale type vendors (which is mainly the reason I go) as in the past. Seemingly getting too commercialized. Hopefully the vendor is wrong in his assessment; however, I did notice much of the nearby farmland disappearing to housing, which makes Denio's prime real estate. I will still visit every so often, even though not the same...

Great place to find used items some prices and individuals that sell individually are high-priced why they're there to try to make deals I do not know why way overpriced on used lawn mower yard equipment but overall great place to visit with me and my grandkids make sure you bring your walking shoes on.. plenty of places to eat plenty of places to rest most people there the staff members are helpful it is each individual place sells their own items had good deals with places that have used items they also have a produce section in the back far north corner prices decent fruit fresh good customer service. There is plenty of parking you may have to park way out like I said before bring your walking shoes they have good security there haven't heard of any buddies car getting broken into feel comfortable leaving my vehicle in their parking lot. Also if you have young children recommend bringing a wagon or stroller it is a very big place you will find a lot of items there from hats dog items leashes shoes if you want to put a wardrobe together I believe you can probably find...