The Dodge County Fairgrounds is excited to welcome crowds back indoors and outdoors to Beaver Dam for another season of the popular flea market and craft fair. Six dates have been slated on Saturdays throughout the year. Shoppers can visit the fairgrounds on May 22, June 19, July 24, August 28, September 18 and October 16 from 8:00 am until 2:00 pm. These events are held rain or shine. Shoppers should plan on bringing reusable shopping bags and wagons to carry all of their new finds. Parking and admission is always FREE.

Shop local throughout the year and support area collectors and crafters at the flea market and craft fair. Souvenirs, seasonal produce, tools, toys, hard-to-find collectables, handmade crafts and unique items from your favorite direct-sales vendors or just a few of the items that you’ll be able to purchase throughout the fairgrounds.

Shoppers won’t only be supporting local crafters and vendors. They will also be supporting a local organization, who has often struggled just as much as its animals over the past year. Concession purchases will benefit local animals in need of your support. Frosty’s Fosters Animal Rescue was involved with the popular event concessions over the years and will continue to offer delicious, varying menus each month. Concession profits will directly benefit Frosty’s Dream, a fundraising campaign for the non-profit organization. The popular fried, cheese curds and onion rings will be available for purchase. Fundraising from these events are super critical to Frosty’s Fosters and its mission. Last year, the organization was forced to cancel many of its fundraising events – preventing them from getting closer to their goal of $300,000 to purchase sprawling land for the animals’ new space for onsite care. The rescue, who is beginning its sixth year of giving cats, dogs and small animals a better future, will be kicking-off its third year of coordinating the popular Saturday morning events at the Dodge County Fairgrounds.

Adoptable animals will be available at the flea markets, when weather permits this season. These animals have been rescued from poor conditions in the southern United States, primarily in Oklahoma and Alabama. The organization transports animals approximately twice a month. In one weekend alone, the organization recently rescued twenty-four cats and fifty-three dogs. Your participation and purchases will help directly-support these animals that are new to the area.

The group currently has forty active homes, fostering animals. But there is always the need for more supportive homes. Individuals and groups interested in volunteering their time or opening up their home to an animal in need, should reach out to [email protected]. Local fosters will teach the animals how to socialize and become a member of a loving household. In return, Frosty’s Fosters will provide all of the essentials needed to make the animal comfortable in your home: food, kennel, leash, any medications and costs for vet expenses. Monetary donations and wish list items may be contributed to help support Frosty’s Fosters’ mission throughout the year. Financial donations will help support the purchase of land to build a facility for the non-profit organization that would allow care of its animals on-site. This 24-hour facility would offer a loving home for these animals, including daily walking, grooming, cleaning and the attention that they need.

Vendor registration remains an affordable $20 per booth, making this an attractive option for local vendors and small businesses. Spots are first come, first served. Direct-sales vendors should contact Maggie Drewa at [email protected] to see if their brand or product is already represented. Online vendor registration will be available on the Dodge County Fairgrounds website mid-February. This popular Saturday morning event is great exposure for all vendors involved. Both indoor and outdoor vendor space is available (weather permitting). Booths are typically 20 ft x 20 ft, but space sizes vary.

Article by Jamie Adcock author of runningdivamom.com and sunprairiemom.com