LIMA, Ohio – The parking lot alone might lead you to believe that the Allen County Fair is still going on, but the crowd was there for another reason.
The 17th annual Max’s Trader Days began Friday morning and will remain open 24 hours a day through Sunday evening. It’s a combination of flea market, gun show, and dog races, with vendors selling almost anything you can think of. For some visitors, it’s an annual tradition.
“We have people who come every year for their vacation and do this,” said Jodi Thomas, Max’s daughter. “We see people high-fiving, ‘oh, I haven’t seen you since last year’, ‘it’s good to see you’, ‘you’re back’, people just come and find all kinds of goodies.”
This year, every vendor spot is taken, and there is a waitlist for anyone who wants to get in. They line the grounds, selling everything from crafts and collectibles to tools, antiques, and even handmade items. Tim Newman has been traveling from Fremont to Lima for Trader Days for more than a decade.
“We have repeat customers every year,” said Newman, who owns Hot Head Brothers Pepper Butter. “This is the only place so far that we market our pepper butter and we sell out every year.”
“I get to get out, whether I sell or not, and I get to camp out and get away from home,” said vendor Vanessa Fickel.
Visit Greater Lima describes it as one of the area’s best community events, drawing people outside and into Lima. Max’s Trader Days are expected to generate approximately $30,000 in economic impact in 2024 through hotel stay taxes and local sales tax. This year’s event runs until Sunday evening. The daily entry fee is $15, or $25 for a weekend pass.
