DERRIK J. LANG, you're going to Florida. What are you going to do now? He's going to Flea World!
SANFORD, Fla.
Lions, tigers and dinosaur sculptures. Oh my. (AP Photo/Derrik J. Lang)
A couple window shops at Flea World in Sanford, Fla. (AP Photo/Derrik J. Lang)
What every girl needs. (AP Photo/Derrik J. Lang)
You haven't really one-stop shopped until you've visited Flea World.
This gargantuan open-air bizarre bazaar, which bills itself as "America's largest flea market," exists on a 104-acre parcel of dusty land about a half-hour outside of Orlando. There 1,700 dealer spaces, offering goods and services ranging from automotive accessories to adult novelties every Friday through Sunday.
All of Flea World is indoors and air-conditioned, as numerous signs along Interstate 4 state. But by indoors, they mean covered in a wood and aluminum structure reminiscent of a carport. And by air conditioned, they mean filled with industrial-sized fans recirculating muggy air with a corndog aroma.
The novelties sold here seem to fall into three categories: deal, unique and unnecessary. For example, a desktop computer with a Pentium 4 processor ($249) is definitely a deal. Translucent self-cleaning toilet brushes ($8) are unique. But an oil painting of Kanye West ($79) is unnecessary.
Weaponry is a big part of the 23-year-old flea market's inventory. Several dealers hock knives, guns and knives shaped like guns to stiff adults and curious teenagers. At one of these artillery bunkers, I notice a cute sign that appears to have been created with Microsoft Word. It reads "If you're under 18, go away!" underneath some clip art of the grim reaper.
The charm of Flea World lies in its uncalculated juxtapositions. Pistol crossbows ($7.99) are sold alongside ladies' handbags ($4.99). Scientologists offer free stress tests next to a dealer marketing customizable decals for your vehicle. Rolls of duct tape ($1) are sold underneath Jackie Chan posters ($1). Not movie posters. Just portraits of Chan next to the words "Jackie Chan."
Need a pet? There are fish, baby turtles, birds, puppies, bunnies, lizards and snakes available to the more than 2.5 million patrons who visit Flea World annually. They offer an unusual entertainment and respite to sweaty strollers who stop to poke and prod the caged critters. But try as I might, I do not see actual fleas for sale here.
Flea World isn't solely for shopping. You can also have your income taxes prepared, tires changed, mortgage refinanced and back massaged here. At Family Hair Care, clipper cuts ($10) are consigned between browsing for T-shirts and knickknacks. Three outlets offer tattoos -- including one that permanently applies makeup to your mug ($400 to $2000).
Connected to Flea World is Fun World. The former does a better job of living up to its name than the latter.
With rickety rides and a smattering of fried foods, Fun World is sort of a parking lot carnival that's not going anywhere. There are bumper boats and a brightly painted banquet room available for birthdays. Yes, you can celebrate your birth at Flea World.
I trudge back to my car in the parking lot -- half of it's paved, half of it's not -- with three purchases: a handmade ceramic banana magnet ($1), a surprisingly modern decorative bowl ($10) and a Go Go's record ($8).
Deal. Unique. Unnecessary.
At Flea World, there is something for everyone.
___
Derrik J. Lang is an asap reporter based in New York.
___
Want to comment? Sound off at soundoffasap@ap.org .
©2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Learn more about our Privacy Policy.
