Kane County Flea Market — Attraction in St. Charles

I love outdoor flea markets and visiting Kane County was on my bucket list. It's about a 4 hour ride, but the April show was calling out to me to break my winter cabin fever. First thing I didn't like was the ride in from I90 and the exactly 27 stop lights between the highway and the fairgrounds. The lights were synced to each other, but it wasn't a real good start. So the show is advertised as starting at noon Saturday. I arrived at noon expecting a line, but there was already probably 300 cars in the lots and shopping was going full steam. The April show was large enough, and I can imagine there being 2 or 3 times more outside vendors in the summer. I collect more primitive type antiques and the selection and quality of such was disappointing. I can't really comment on prices as it seemed most things were not tagged with prices, and there was nothing that came close to something I was interested in. But it really was a beautiful spring day! The crowds we're good to the point it was a little difficult getting through the buildings, dodging carts, wagons, scooters, strollers and dogs. Did I mention dogs? Seemed like a lot of dogs. Well, they were well behaved. The people watching was good. I didn't try the food. I move pretty quickly, going through a brisk first time and a slower (usually reverse direction!) second time through. After 2 hours I was done and heading home, having bought nothing. Don't forget to check inside each of the large permanent buildings! The park layout makes shopping a bit complex. No one that I talked to had a basic map to identify sales buildings, bathrooms, etc. I'm giving the show 4 stars, but that's a little generous when I compare to other shows I'm familiar with. The crowds we're so big, there must be something drawing everyone there. Like so many shows and antique malls, the crafts, t-shirts and stuff are continuing to increase. As a PostScript, on Sunday my local weekly flea market, with only about 15 vendors, held it's opening show and I found and bought 3 items. My advice, the best antique markets around that I've found are Elkhorn WI, Rochester and...

Some good buys but not a top 10 since the original owner passed away. (kids now run it). Admittance is $5. Per person. Parking/dust are free. Open area sellers tend to be the best deals. Food vendors always have short lines (unfortunately it’s just not appealing) Pets are no longer allowed. In all our visits I haven’t seen any runners moving large purchases to cars (I don't think they offer the service). We go on Sunday because the noon start on Saturday is to late and hot to have a good experience (we still find great deals every Sunday).

What I think could help this market: Quality food venders with a covered seating areas and lots of trash containers.

An outdoor area that’s half the cost and size to encourage new small vintage sellers to participate. How about 5x10@$60. for sellers that have 6 or less visits... 6 or less to keep it fresh. (Existing cost for selling For weekend) Inside Buildings (12 x 12): $130 Shed Spaces (8 x 14): $110 Outside (10 x 20): $120

Restrictions on selling dollar/peddlers mall style items (or at least for the love of fleas keep that shop-O-roma stuff all in one area).

A service for moving large purchases to buyers vehicles or their delivery trucks.

Maps and temp signs to help newer visitors navigate (especially the tragically designed crisscrossing outdoor space)

More pavement and less dirt inside and outside the market.

Kane County Flea Market is pretty good but it could be...

They do NOT allow dogs anymore even though we brought our dog here last year. Even so, I saw quite a few people with dogs that were not service dogs. Drove an hour to come here specifically bc they allowed dogs and my dog goes with me everywhere just to be turned away at the gates. Luckily my son was willing to keep my dog outside the gates while we went shopping. The shops are great with the majority of the vendors selling home made/antiques although there were a fair share of Avon/lularoe etc. Prices in most of the booths are very fair and mostly friendly. We were so happy to find kettle corn on our way out too. I am removing 2 stars for the reason that they turned my dog away and there were dogs on the fairgrounds everywhere. My dog is my constant companion and to me it borders on discrimination when some dogs are allowed through the gates and other ones aren’t. Of the 5 dogs I saw, only 2 were service dogs vested and tagged. Just for reference my dog is a 10 lb shipoo, not a...