DON HOENIG’S 48TH ANNUAL FLEA MARKET & SWAP MEET THIS WEEKEND AT THOMPSON SPEEDWAY MOTORSPORTS PARK

By Kyle Souza, Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park 

THOMPSON, Conn. — Back in 1971, family favorite Willy Wonka The Chocolate Factory was released as a movie. In that same year, Don Hoenig’s original flea market and swap meet took place at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park in Connecticut. 

The event has grown to the largest automotive Swap Meet in the entire Northeast, where race teams, fans and more come together for three straight days. The 48th annual Flea Market and Swap Meet returns to Thompson this weekend, November 1-3, and is a can’t miss event. 

You can find race cars for sale, tools, tires, and even vendors that will have something completely outside of racing – like a winter jacket or pair of shoes. The event is truly a one-of-a-kind for anyone in the Northeast to head into the cold winter months with a perfect purchase. Race teams could assemble most of a car by selecting different parts from different vendors, while race fans might even be able to purchase a throwback t-shirt. 

“The Swap Meet is one of the most important events we have at Thompson each year,” Terry Eames, the General Manager of Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park, said. “We are looking forward to welcoming vendors and fans from across the Northeast for a full weekend.” 

Any vendors who wish to attend the Swap Meet should plan for spots that are 30 feet long by 15 feet wide. Vendors may elect to setup on Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. for a charge of $25 extra per space, which will allot vendors the opportunity to get preferred choice on parking. On Saturday and Sunday, spaces vendor registration opens at 5 a.m., and is in a first-come, first-serve format. 

Vendor passes for Saturday and Sunday only are $75, while those who show on Friday will pay a total of $100 for three days. 

Anyone coming to the event as a fan can enter for a general admission price of $12 per day, meaning it will cost just $36 for a total of three days. If fans show up for just one day, they will only be charged the $12 price. Any kids 12 and under are free. 

General admission is open from 10-8 p.m. on Friday, 7-5 p.m. on Saturday and 7-5 p.m. on Sunday.