In 1972, the Western Oklahoma Historical Society staged the first flea market on the Old Town Museum lawn with June Parry as the chair and assisted by Emmajean Barton. The flea market became an annual event and the historical society’s main fundraiser. The third year of its existence saw Allen DeGarmo as chair followed by Dean and Nelda Burch, Wendell and Bobbie Albert, and Charlie and Carolyn Joy in subsequent years. Held the first weekend in October of every year except the pandemic year of 2020, the flea market has grown over the years and now occupies most of Ackley Park. Most recently Kenneth Hart has functioned as chair of the event. In 2022, the historical society rented 103 spaces to vendors.
