Gypsy Caravan

No stars for the Gypsy Caravan this year at the Family Arena, as we never got there!
After waiting 1.5 hours and still not in to the parking lot, we turned around and went antique shopping closer to home. Have attended this event for years at SLU and UMSL, we will not attend again if it remains at current venue.

Love junkin’ this is your place. Food, fun and lots to see.

It always seems to be very hot but it’s always worth it for me. Lots of walking, lots of variety, lots of people and the usual fair food. I happen to get a not so good kabob but that’s has nothing to do with the fair. The Caravan always seems well run and there is lots of support, plenty of well placed bathrooms, regular trash cans and recycle holders. Can’t go wrong here.

Love this event every year whether or not I find any treasures. Can’t wait until 2012 event on Monday!

How had I never gone to Gypsy Caravan before?
Most of my family ventures to the Gypsy Caravan every year and for some reason I had just never gone. This year I decided to give it a try and I am so glad I did. It really is just a big ginormous flea market/​garage sale as previous reviewers have said but with over 400 vendors you are bound to find some treasures. The parking was free (yay!) and it only cost $ 5 to get in (double yay!!). It was a blazing hot day so we immediately hit up one of the vendors for bottled water and a snack. The lines moved quickly and the layout of the caravan was well thought out. There were vendors everywhere. Each time we thought we had walked the whole thing we saw a sign that read «more vendors this way.» After Rib America the night before with the gross amount of trash left by the patrons I was very impressed with how little trash I saw, even near the food vendors. Almost nothing. Plus there were trash cans and recycling bins within easy access. I think they could have used a few more trash cans in the beer garden but that’s about it. After shopping all day Sunday with no luck I was searching for a sun dress and within 20 minutes I had already found the perfect one. It was from a small vendor, who sold handmade, hand embroidered beautiful dresses and skirts. The one I settled on was only $ 30 and can be worn as a skirt as well. I liked it even better when I got it home and tried it on, comfy, flattering and colorful. A far cry from the millions I tried on the day before. OH and I also left with a jar of delicious homemade tequila salsa from Jasbo’s Salsa. So. Freaking. Delicious.

Would you believe me if I told you that I once had a guy take me on a first date here? No? Seems too ridiculous? Ok, it’s true, and I dated him for two years… so obviously, I think this is a pretty amazing thing to go to.
The Gypsy Caravan comes every Memorial day and they always change the location from UMSL to SLU… just stay on top of things or watch Channel 5 and you’ll know where it is… seriously, that’s how I always find it. Basically, this is nothing more than a gigantic garage sale/​flea market and it’s all for the benefit of the St. Louis Symphony’s Educational Programs. Guilt free shopping is my favorite kind of shopping.
This is the kind of place that you can spend all day digging through old junk to maybe or maybe not come up with a great treasure. There’s everything from jewelry to paintings to just plain garbage that you have no idea what it might be at this place. The stuff is pretty cheap, though some of it is overpriced for what it is. This is no different than any other flea market but seriously, it only comes once a year and therefore, is a pretty amazing stop in if you are looking for something to do other than heading to a pool on Memorial Day.
I may be a little late (or early) in the year to be talking about this, but I have such cherished memories of heading to this thing every year that I can’t say enough good things about it. Seriously, what a place… and what people that go.

The Gypsy Caravan is an event held every Memorial Day on the campus of University of MO. All proceeds from Gypsy Caravan help support the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra and the Symphony’s education and community engagement programs. Check out the webpage for more info on admission and times.
I attended for the first time this year. It was an elclectic flea market mix of antiques, jewlery, clothing etc. with tons of vendors. It was a great way to spend the day diggin’ around looking for great treasure. I will absolutely make this my thing to do on Memorial Day every year. Wear sunblock and comfy shoes.