This open-air event has become one of the largest of its kind in the U.P. since the first one in 2018. The community support for this event has always been outstanding, with all 78 sites again sold out this year, said Jennifer Flynn, circulation manager for The Daily News.

“We have a little bit of everything for sale, from antiques to up-cycled items, kettle corn to a quarter-pound hotdog wrapped in bacon and deep fried,” Flynn said. “Handmade crafts to direct sale companies, maple syrup to salsa. Come on out and spend the day with us.”

The Crafty Flea Market is a combined fundraising effort by The Daily News’ Newspapers in Education, or NIE, program and Lake Antoine Park Partners that benefits both non-profit programs. NIE provides area schools with newspapers that assist teachers and other educators, while Lake Antoine Park Partners aims to help beautify the park and boat launch areas and develop community events.

Some of the merchandise to be available includes handcrafted wood products, handmade soaps, ceramics, antiques, jewelry, knitted and crocheted items, home decor, metal works and wire art, jams, salsa, birdhouses and feeders, artworks, honey and maple syrup, along with representatives for direct sales companies such as Perfectly Posh, Doterra Essential Oils, Pure Romance and Mary Kay.

THE CRAFTY FLEA MARKET again will have concessions served by Strong Tower Church, in sites 20 and 21. (Jennifer Flynn/Daily News photo)

In 2021, the Dickinson County Community Theater was among the handful of 501(c)(3) charities that had a campsite where people could learn about the group.

Rodney Kjell attended a LAPP meeting to discuss the possibility of the theater group using the band shell for some theater fun.

“I was glad they gave me some ideas to share with Flynn,” said Doni-Mae B. Rauch, the park group’s vice president. “They also will have a suggestion box for future plays and a memory table with information from past performances.”

The Read UP Bookmobile that tours the Upper Peninsula promoting reading also will be on site again this year. “Last year she ran out of books, so we suggest you stop by their site early,” Flynn said.

Amber Grassinger from the Dickinson-Iron District Health Department will have a Lactation Station at site No. 18a, next to the restrooms. A Crafty Flea and Lake Antoine Park Partners information booth will be on the grounds Saturday in site No. 18.

The interior roads of the campground will become a pedestrian walkway so handicapped visitors and those with baby strollers can easily maneuver to the booths. There are plans for Duane Lundamo, the current campground host, to provide golf cart transportation for the handicapped from their special parking area to the start of the walkway.

Concessions this year will once again be run through Strong Tower Church, in sites 20 and 21. This year they are serving burgers, Texas burger with bacon, hot dogs, chili dogs, brats and brats with kraut, walking tacos, fries, curds, onion rings and the big dog, a 1/4 pound hot dog wrapped in bacon and deep fried.

A complete list of crafters and vendors can be seen in an ad on page 7-A. For more information, contact Flynn at 906-774-2772, ext. 218.

The event will go on rain or shine, organizers said.

Admission is a $2 donation per person, with no charge for ages 10 and younger, at the main entrance at N3393 Quinnesec-Lake Antoine Road. The park does have designated parking for the handicapped.

Electric and water upgrades kept the campground closed in 2021 with limited utilities availability. The Daily News would like to thank Dickinson County Commissioner Joe Stevens of the Parks Committee; Brian Bousley, Dickinson County controller; and Eric Robinson and his staff at Lake Antoine Park for doing everything in their power to have the campground ready for camping this summer and Crafty Flea Market this weekend.