St. Teresa of Avila Parish Preps for Flea Market

As it does every year at this time, the church hall of in Ross looks a bit like a department store: dishes, furniture, sporting goods, linens, books, vintage items and antiques — all separated into categories — fill the space.  

The items, donated from across the North Hills, have been flowing in since July 4 to be sold at the , which will be open 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

The flea market is a significant draw and the parish's largest fundraiser, organizers said. Last year about 600 people waited in line before the doors opened, arriving as early as 6:30 a.m.

The market will kick off the 45th parish . Expected to attract a crowd of about 5,000, the festival will feature dinners every night, C&L Shows carnival rides and a Chinese Auction with prizes such as an iPad and 43-inch TV.

Hundreds of volunteers have gathered each week at the parish hall to help sort and price the donated items. Last year's flea market generated more than $30,000 for the parish, which helps pay school and general expenses.

“It has grown substantially,” said volunteer Connie Stewart. “When we would clear $20,000, that was great, and now… we don’t know where we can put more stuff. It’s amazing when you think about how many things in here are priced at 25 cents. How many quarters are in $30,000?”

Donations were accepted through August 10. 

This is Stewart’s ninth year working with the festival. She is in charge of entertainment and the Chinese Auction but also assists with the flea market. Though she lives in West Mifflin and attends a different parish, she said she still loves to help with the event.

“What’s really funny is it’s not my parish; it’s my boyfriend’s parish, but this is like my adopted family, my second home," Stewart said. "The people here are just like a family. Everyone works together for the betterment of the parish. As much work as this is, everyone looks forward to it every year. It’s crazy; it’s like Girl Scout cookies: It comes once a year, and you can’t wait for it to get here."

Festival co-chairperson Shirley Gorwick of Ross finds time within her busy 40-hour work week as an accountant to volunteer. 

“I guess I do it because I love it,” she said. “There’s a real nice feeling when someone comes up and thanks you for doing a good job. There are also a lot of people that really give you a hard time in the process.”

That feeling of accomplishment and community is what drives many of the flea market’s volunteers. Dolly Blasko of Ross has been involved with the festival for more than 40 years and is determined to keep coming back for more.

“I started when my children were in the school,” Blasko said. “They’re all gone and married, but I still enjoy it. People are nice; you get to meet a lot of people from the parish. We work together, and it works out fine."

Editor's note: Several family members of Editor AmyJo Brown attend the parish and volunteer their time for the flea market and festival.