Oakdale woman looks to revamp once-booming market at Kerr Park. ‘I will not let it die’

“I will not let it die,” Funky Market 209 coordinator Lisa Norris said as she talked about the struggles the vendor event has experienced since the rise in popularity of pop-ups.

The market was established in 2016 and once boasted around 3,000 attendees, Norris said. That was back when the market was at her parents’ house on Atlas Road in Oakdale — and called the Funky Flea.

Funky Market 209 is now held at Oakdale’s Kerr Park, where it’s been since 2019. The venue has the capacity for 65 to 80 vendors. This year, 31 have registered.

Challenges started popping up after the COVID-19 pandemic, Norris said. They include the rising popularity in markets and pop-ups — causing a decline in vendor signups — as well as the economy.

“We’re struggling ... There’s just so many other events going on,” Norris said. “But i want to build a market that stands out from the rest.”

To do that, she said she has plans to add new features to the market next year. One idea is what she calls “junk alley,” which will have vendors similar to a flea market.

Other ideas include a kid zone for crafts and highlighting child-operated businesses.

“I’m not letting this go,” Norris said. “I need help somehow to put it back on the map so to speak.”

Norris pays the city to rent the park on top of a charge of $20 per vendor. Though she runs the White Blossom Ranch business — and hosts weddings and paint-and-sip events at the ranch — Norris doesn’t want to host the market there “because it’s been at Kerr Park for so long and it’s such a nice venue,” she said.

Though the market is Saturday, Norris said she’s accepting vendor applications until Friday at 5 p.m. If interested, vendors should email theserendipitysocial@gmail.com.

There is no fee for nonprofits and fundraisers and Norris “gives a break” to veteran-owned businesses, she said.

What to expect at Funky Market 209

Funky Market 209 will be at Kerr Park in Oakdale on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There is no entry or parking fee.

There will be live music, food, vendors and a classic car gathering. Kerr Park has play equipment for children, as well as bathrooms and shade trees.

There will barbecue and Filipino food vendors. Other vendor types include home decor, hot jams and sauces, candles, soap, salsa, sourdough bread, photography, sweets, lemonade, shaved ice, clothing and more.

Two new vendors to the market this year are a home Botox party company and Blue Star Moms — a support-through-service organization for military parents.

Unlike a typical car show, those wishing to show off their vehicle at the event can simply drop in with no cost or contest.

“People can just come in and stay as long as they want with their car,” Norris said.