Roch Bourque was very proud of his purchase. Like the approximately 3,200 people who participated in the 10th edition of the Garage Sale Flea Market which took place at the Coliseum, the Moncton resident had the impression of having got his hands on a real little treasure.
After all, this engraving by Acadian artist Guy Duguay was the seventh in a series of 10.
“Honestly, I had nothing to do and wanted to take a good walk. I’ve had a table here in the past. I have to say that I like dirty things!”, he laughs.
“I didn’t want to find anything in particular, but in the end I found a little treasure. Besides, I was about to leave.”
Roch Bourque is himself an artist who specializes in acrylic painting.
He also knew the late Guy Duguay since he had been attending the Aberdeen Cultural Center since the 1980s.
“I saw it out of the corner of my eye. I was really surprised,” he says enthusiastically.
“It’s something that Guy wasn’t used to doing (an engraving). I am starting to do figurative work myself. This discovery therefore comes at the right time.”
Jacinthe Ferguson showed a big smile, behind her counter mainly populated with pieces of blown glass of all kinds and all colors.
The owner of an antique store in Rogersville had more than 300 pieces on display at this event, described as “the largest flea market in the world.”
“We really like blown glass tableware, but we also have a nice variety of things. Business is good. People really came to buy,” she explains.
Monique Farrell, from Shediac, walked the aisles with her daughter Molly.
“I saw this on Facebook and thought I had to come and see it. There are really a lot of things. What I like most is the variety. There’s a little bit of everything,” she explains.
“I haven’t seen anything that really interests me yet, but we’ve only visited half of the kiosks. I’d say there’s a very good chance I’ll leave here with a few items. I’m especially looking for support for the candles.”
Event director John MacKay was delighted to see so many people passing through the turnstiles at the Moncton Coliseum.
“It’s a very good year. We see that all the merchants are busy. We see that there is a renewed interest in everything period. Many people recycle objects to give them a new life, especially young people.”
The event brought together 140 different merchants who displayed their products on 310 tables.
He is himself an avid collector who specializes in promotional items and anything related to the Coca-Cola company.
“I have been in this business for almost 50 years. I’m not young anymore and I’m starting to sell my things quietly. I am happy to see that many young people have the same passion as me.”
