I’ve intended to shoot the White Cloud Flea Market in the tiny riverside town of White Cloud, Kansas for decades but it’s held only two weekends a year and in seasons where I’m usually on the road. I finally made it this year and have to say that it’s an experience. Sort of a Woodstock for junk dealers. I loved it.

All of the above shots came from the tent of my favorite dealer who was actually at the overflow flea market in the small town of Sparks. Yes, there’s so much stuff that one tiny town and its surrounding farmland can’t seem to hold it all. In fact, I think there were more dealers in Sparks and more of a community atmosphere. This particular tent proved my earlier theory that anything is cool when gathered in large quantities (the exception to this rule is food, which can become downright disgusting when seen in quantities larger than a plate). Bin after bin of toys, toy parts, house numbers, gears, etc. were a visual treasure trove for me. We bought some things, too, including an excruciatingly brightly colored ’70s-era Japanese pachinko game that will soon have a very special place in the new house.

The rack of vintage sunglasses below is from the White Cloud market but the tattooed gentleman was a vendor at the Sparks market. A great guy who spotted me photographing a John Belushi figurine and wanted me to see his Blues Brothers tattoo. All-in-all a great day.