Although the flea market in Alkmaar only starts this afternoon, the orange party already started this morning. Streeksstad Centraal was there. I actually wanted to do some other things, but now I just came here.”
It’s just after nine. Mother and son walk with bags in the direction of the Kennemerpark. With a bit of fear in their faces. Because yes, everyone is already there. The Alkmaar flea market may officially start at 3 p.m., but the city center is almost completely full at nine o’clock.
“I received a message from my parents at half past six: they are already busy,” sighs a saleswoman a little further on, on the bridge over the Oudegracht. She lives just outside the city center, but she was lucky that her parents kept an eye on her place. “I actually wanted to do some other things, but now I just came here.”
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We were here at half past seven,” say sellers in the Zilverstraat. “Half past seven? Six o’clock!”, we hear two stalls away. It is clear that everyone had to get up early on this sunny Sunday. “Great flea market weather,” say experts.
Despite the early hour, the wares on display attract quite a few interested parties. Although there is not a lot of trading going on yet, it is mainly looking, looking, not buying.
Clothing, shoes and online orders
What is striking is that many of the shoes and clothing items on display look like new. Online orders that have not been returned – and now end up on the free market. But also many old comics, school cards with a tear, books about horses and the necessary crockery.
HVC containers are placed at strategic locations, where waste can be stored – this is how Alkmaar keeps the free market tidy.
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“Six o’clock, then you’re actually out of your mind.” The boy who rolls out the carpet at 9am is clearly not interested in that early fuss. “I’m not going to get up myself, I’ll get this ready and then I’ll go back to bed.”
Not far from him, the mother and son, who had just trotted into the Kennermerpark, have found their spot after all. It turns out that with sidewalk chalk there are even more names without a stall. They are still coming, and for the time being they still have room. “Yes, oh, they’re children.”
Once claimed, remains claimed
Not everyone is equally sporty, but many free marketers still respect the rule: once claimed, remains claimed.
This claim was the talk of the town earlier this week, after it emerged that the municipality was taking enforcement action against the tent pegs and pieces of tape. They immediately went into the container, don’t claim anything, it’s not allowed – get rid of it.
“Yes, that scared me,” admits a seller on the edge of the Kennemerpark. “Today it’s actually only from 3 p.m.
Despite that previous enforcement action, the mood is pleasant. Only the cyclists have a hard time with it, those pedestrians everywhere. There will only be more on Sunday and Monday. Two days of celebration – Alkmaar doesn’t want to miss a minute of it.
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