You’d think there wouldn’t be much going on in a city named after lard, but Manteca knows how to put on an event. This sleepy town throws a couple of fun festivals and markets throughout the year, including a watermelon festival, Christmas parade, and book fest. A while back, I inadvertently came across the Manteca Antique Fair after catching a movie at the local AMC. Unlike the other celebrations that I just mentioned, this is an ongoing event throughout the warmer months of the year.
Where is the Manteca Antique Fair?
It takes place on the third Sunday of most months, typically from February to November. You can find the fair right after the Union exit off Highway 120 in the JCPenney parking lot by AMC Manteca 16 and Bass Pro Shops. The outdoor market typically runs from 7 AM to 2 PM—go early to get best dibs on rare items and later for the best deals! Even if you leave empty handed, you won’t be losing anything, except for some time and gas: The fair is free.
I grew up foraging the West Wind Capitol Flea Market in San Jose, so I have a natural affinity for digging through junk outdoors to discover hidden gems. As a lover of all things vintage (and a reseller), I’ve been trying to get in the habit of hitting up the market more frequently, but you know how it is—life gets in the way. This past Sunday, I finally managed to go to the fair for the first time in forever and picked up brass wares, costume jewelry, and antique books for eBay and Etsy.
What can you find at the fair?
It’s a low-key fair that doesn’t get overwhelmingly crowded, but it features plenty of vendors to browse. There are probably 10 or so rows of vendors (or about 5-ish aisles), so you can spend a good couple of hours there sifting through vintage home goods and collectibles. The rule is that you can only sell items that are from 20+ years ago (although, frankly, I’ve seen my fair share of Funko Pops.) There’s a little bit of everything for everyone, whether you collect toys, jewelry, clothes, comics, books, dolls, glass, tools, or porcelain figurines.
Whatever your budget, there’s a pretty broad price range. I’ve been to the market a few times and started to get a feel for how the different vendors price things. There are vendors that will straight-up go with eBay prices, but others are willing to negotiate. Honestly, I hate haggling, and perceptive sellers can tell when you’re about to politely put their stuff down, so they offer a discount before you know it. Some sellers are more in touch with the local foot traffic and price things to move, especially if you buy a pile of stuff. Those are my favorite vendors.
If you have specific items that you want to look at, great. There are vendors that sell specific items, like antique books, costume jewelry, and toys. If you want to get the best deals, my recommendation is to start with the vendors who don’t have elaborate displays and setups. They usually have a bunch of items lying out on a table or tarp—you have to do a bit of digging, but the prices they offer are usually great. Just a word of caution: Check your items carefully before purchasing because stuff is more likely to be damaged when it’s tossed into a pile haphazardly.
What to bring
I recommend bringing a tote bag or small cart. I personally filled up my extra large TJ Maxx tote bag quickly with books and costume jewelry since some vendors didn’t offer bags. If you plan on buying furniture or large house wares, it would be beneficial to bring along a partner, friend, or family member who can help you carry stuff to your car. (Unfortunately, there’s no transit in town on Sunday, unless you qualify for Dial-a-Ride.) And bring some snacks along if you’d like—there are some food trucks and nearby restaurants if you don’t.
I am under no delusion that the Central Valley is the most exciting place on earth, but with these fun events and its bevy of thrift stores, it sure is a worthwhile destination for vintage lovers.
