Dennis Smith has been dreaming of starting a flea market for a decade, and he’s about to see that dream become a reality.
The first-ever Collegedale Flea Market is happening Sunday, Sept. 14 from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Collegedale Community Church. The event is sponsored by American Legion Desmond T. Doss Post 257, of which Smith is commander.
“This flea market is going to support all the youth programs that American Legion helps in the area,” Smith said. “We want it to be the one and only Collegedale flea market. We want it to be a community place where people can come and have their yard sale items or if they have a business and they want to move their product.”
The post serves Collegedale, Ooltewah, Apison, Harrison and McDonald. The group helps support the Ooltewah Boy Scouts, East Hamilton High Sea Cadets and more. They also send local students to the Tennessee American Legion Boys State event held each year in Cookeville, Tenn.
“A flea market is perfect because … all that money goes right back into the community,” said Smith.