The Arlington Civitan Open Air Flea Market is launching its 40th anniversary season on Saturday, with high hopes of drawing more than 10,000 shoppers during 2026.
“The opening event is consistently the busiest of the year, with early-bird shoppers lining up in the dark and many high-demand items selling within the first hour,” said officials with the Arlington Civitan Club.
They predicted the coming year could be a record-setting one.
“The market’s strong turnout reflects broader consumer trends, as rising retail prices and increased interest in sustainable shopping continue to drive demand for vintage, secondhand and discounted goods,” the club noted.
Approximately 150 vendors set up shop each month, offering wares including antiques, furniture, vinyl records, tools, clothing, books, jewelry, toys and household goods. As with many flea markets, the best opportunities exist for those willing to arrive at the crack of dawn, the club said:
“With peak attendance concentrated in the early morning and inventory moving quickly, attendees are strongly encouraged to arrive before opening to access the widest selection and experience the market at its most active.”
The Arlington Civitan Club uses all of the proceeds from its fundraising efforts to support local nonprofits and community initiatives. Funds are typically generated from vendor rental fees — currently $20 per parking space — and on-site refreshment sales.
Proceeds are primarily earmarked for organizations that serve individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, although the club also addresses broader community needs, such as education and elder care.
Specific organizations supported through Civitan efforts include:
- SPARC (Specially Adapted Resource Clubs): Receives support for its programs that provide high-quality day activities for adults with severe disabilities
- ENDependence Center of Northern Virginia (ECNV): A recipient of proceeds used for essential resources, such as new printer equipment to support their independent living services
- Community Residences Inc.: Funds assist this organization in providing housing and support services for people with disabilities and mental-health needs
“We are adding Special Olympics-related activities later this year,” club president Leandra Finder said.
The club also provides scholarships for students and resources for local schools to improve educational opportunities. Funds have historically been used for tangible community improvements, such as building accessible playgrounds or supporting environmental cleanups.
Beyond cash donations, the club initiates hands-on projects such as feeding the homeless, volunteering at retirement homes and collecting food for shelters.
Civitan International traces its roots to the opening of a fellowship organization in Birmingham, Ala., in 1917. Within a decade of that first meeting, more than 100 Civitan clubs had been chartered.
Former Civitans include three former U.S. presidents: John F. Kennedy, Harry Truman and Franklin Roosevelt. President Bill Clinton was a Junior Civitan.
Today, clubs exist in more than 30 nations around the globe.
The Arlington Civitan Club is a member of the Inter-Service Club Council (ISCC) of Arlington. ISCC President Sandy Bushue said the flea market is emblematic of creative ways clubs can serve the community and support the most vulnerable.
“Like many Arlington service clubs, the Civitan volunteers work quietly, diligently and persistently to raise funds to support Arlington charities and people who are intellectually or developmentally disabled,” she told ARLnow.
“The Arlington Civitan Club makes a big difference,” Bushue said. “ISCC is proud to have them as a member.”
