Lake Travis and the Texas Hill Country are home to some of the most quaint and colorful towns around. One of my favorite towns to visit, not just for their art and their history, is Wimberley. Located in Hays County between San Marcos and Dripping Springs on RR 12, this short excursion is about a thirty minute drive from Lakeway and a perfect place to take a day trip.
This past Saturday was the last Wimberley Market Day to take place until early next Spring. The daylong flea market, which runs from March thru December on the first Saturday of each month from 7 a.m.- 4 p.m., is orchestrated by the local Lions Club and has been a staple of Wimberley life since 1964 when the first vendors set up shop out of the back of their trucks in the Town Square.
After just a few short years, the crowds grew and so did the list of vendors wishing to sell their goods, so land was purchased in the 1970s off RR 2325 and the Market was moved to where it sits today.
Saturday morning, Jake and I bundled up in our warmest scarves and sweaters to take part in the last Wimberley Market Days before Christmas. This flea market is a great place to find antiques, one-of-a-kind goodies, handmade soaps, and much more. You can always tell who is a Wimberley Market Days veteran—they come prepared, have collapsible shopping carts ready to haul their finds and take no bad deals for an answer. I try to learn from the masters when I can.
This year was a chilly one as the thermometers never rose above 28 degrees at the market. A few vendors didn’t make it out due to icy weather conditions but that left more deals for the shoppers willing to brave the cold.
A few of the best finds from the weekend—chevron tile wall mounts, a green apple necklace, handmade oak kitchen tables and so much Christmas decor. Ducking into vendors’ booths gave me a few minutes to warm up and find great gifts that are sure to find home in some stockings soon.
When we got hungry, the Lions Club had warm BBQ available at several pavilions, in addition to sandwiches, hot dogs and snacks. As a flea market aficionado myself, I know that the more necessities you have covered, the longer you can shop and find the great deals! It’s one secret I want to be able to pass down to my bargain-hunter children some day.
In the end, it was more than worth it to brave the icy air to venture out for Wimberley Market Days. Living so close to the Texas Hill Country is a great reason to visit the illustrious towns that surround us, and it’s even better when you can find a good deal while you’re at it! I know I will be back next year, rain, sun or cold.
