Bikeables and Hikeables: Tiffin Flea Market

Join Digital Marketing Specialist and recent ’Berg alum Em Swain ’22, MBA ’23 as they visit some of Tiffin’s hidden gems, only a short bike-ride away from Heidelberg University’s campus. It’s our summer web series, Bikeables and Hikeables!

The Tiffin Flea Market is open on Saturday and Sunday one weekend a month at the Seneca County Fairgrounds. And this weekend is that weekend! Coincidentally, it’s also Berg Family Vacation: Alumni Weekend 2023.  I highly recommend bringing the family to walk around and see what you can find (even if that’s just a deep-fried honeycomb waffle) before heading home on Sunday.

Colorful and lively, the Flea Market is a great place to get your steps in and find that one thing you don’t think you could get anywhere else.When you enter, you’re treated to a farmer’s market-style flair, with plants of all types, bread and syrups. As you go in, handcrafted furniture and decor are presented by their artists. As you walk around the path that makes up the fairground, endless collections of Pyrex, records, antique toys and rustic decor catch your eye. Huge barns occupied by artisans and home cooks are fun detours and shortcuts from one path to another. And all of the vendors are so friendly. They love to have a quick conversation and explain more about what they’re passionate about. 

In particular, I love the women on the back half of the loop who sell antique salt and pepper shakers and other glassware. They have always been so friendly and conversational – I consider them a staple of the market. While looking through their stock, I found a set of salt and pepper shakers that were made to look like Japanese Moriage Redware Teapots. So, of course, I had to get them to match my Japanese Moriage Redware Teapot that was passed down to me by my Grandma Beair (I sent her a photo of them all together as soon as I got home.)

Among other fun finds at the Tiffin Flea Market, I recently found a sealed game of Monopoly for $12. If you haven’t looked to purchase a Monopoly Board Game for a few years, you’d be surprised at how expensive they’ve gotten. So $12 was a steal – and I’m still pleased as punch about it. It was one of those items that I thought I’d be able to find, but the result was even better than I had expected.

For the rest of the year, the Flea Market will be held on the following weekends:

• July 1-2
• August 19-20
• September 16-17
• October 7-8

The fairgrounds is a 12-minute bike ride from the center of Heidelberg University’s campus. For more information about the Flea Market, check out their website. If you decide to bike, make sure to bring a backpack and some cash – you never know what you’ll find!