July, 2022
Space rental for vendors has increased to $200.00 for all 9 days for either a 10×10 indoor or a 20×20 outdoor space. Daily rates are $35.00 per day. In addition, if you choose to come in and set up before the show starts, the fee has increased to $5.00 per night/per person. This includes the Friday before the show. Starting Saturday (beginning day of show), camping is included in the booth rent.
At the Spring 2019 Show, we had a Celebration of Life for the “King of Friendship”, Thomas Hoover Kerr. For those who were unable to attend, we wanted to share the wonderful memories with you! Please click on the arrow to begin. There is music, please make sure your speakers are on. (Please be patient while it loads. Click on the toggle box in the lower right hand corner in order to have the video go full screen.)
February, 2019
Thomas Hoover Kerr, born October 12, 1928, passed away on Saturday, February 9, 2019. I met Tom when I was 12 years old and learned to love him like a father. With my mother, Rosemary, for over 42 years they built a great life together. A person hard to explain but if you had the fortune to meet Tom he was that person you NEVER forgot. Tom and Rosemary bought a farm in Friendship, Indiana and started the Friendship Flea Market in 1968. He personally invited and welcomed everyone he met to attend until his retirement in 2012.
Tom worked hard and played hard and made many great memories for hundreds of vendors and thousands of visitors that came. If you went to the market, chances are you were in his booth where he always displayed his sign, “Welcome to our Showroom”. His motto was “we may doze but we never close”. My bet is you left with something you bought or he gave you, but definitely you remembered being there!! I was invited to help with the Flea market in the early ’70’s and worked side by side with him and learned the business from the BEST! I am very proud to say that the tradition continues every year in June and September.
Another great love for Tom was Acapulco, Mexico, where he and mom started traveling in 1976. It soon became a loved winter vacation destination. They introduced me to Acapulco in 1981 and I always loved to plan trips and meet them there. He brought treasures from the U.S., mostly used clothing that he traded on the streets, the beaches, and the buses. Tom carried a Santa Claus type bag of items to trade and give away. You never knew what he might pull out of that bag. It was so funny to see the reactions! Many of his acquired “trades” ended up in his booth at Friendship for sale. He was known by the local people as “Mr. Iguana” because he loved to take home stuffed iguanas and armadillos. He never met a stranger and made friends with many locals and a variety of people from other parts of the world that he met during the 40+ years. He will especially be missed by all of his friends at the Torre Coral where he hosted a yearly Super Bowl Party.
It was my good fortune to know the many sides of Tom Kerr at home, socially, and in business. He will be missed by SO many in SO many walks of life, because he valued life and everyone in it.
Many thanks, Tom, for knowing and loving you! I will always treasure those many years you were THERE…..Jan
“NO MATTER WHERE YOU GO THERE YOU ARE”
March, 2016
Vendors: We now offer PayPal for use in paying your initial deposit. See Vendor Application for details.
January 1, 2020
Be sure to mark your calendar for the Spring 2023 Show June 10-18. Vendor and camping spaces are still available. Call Jan at (859) 341-9188 or after June 2- (812) 667-5645.
A scooter for disabled persons is available for lease at the Main Office. The cost is $10.00 per hour or 3 hours for $25.00.
Call for reservations or see Jan or Gretchen.
Wi-Fi is now available on the grounds for vendors (fee charged.) Limit one device per vendor. Bring your device to the Main or Field Office. Use is limited to credit card users and emails. NO streaming, uploading, or downloading.
2008 – A Year of Goodbyes and Fond Memories
The close of 2008 brought tears and farewells to the long-standing Friendship family.
This season of loss began when Tom’s wife, Rosemary Kerr, passed away in October. Rosemary was instrumental in the formation and running of Friendship since the beginning. As the “Queen of Friendship,” her presence is greatly missed.
Tom’s brother-in-law, Walter Young, husband to Lillian Kerr Young, passed away in late October. Walter ran the parking lot for over 20 years, where he was able to socialize with all the visitors here at Friendship, which he called his “little buddies.”
Tom’s sister, Lula Kerr Fox, also known as “Minnie Pearl” here at Friendship, passed away in December. She was a shareholder and vendor from 1968-2002. Her impression of “How-dyyyyy!” will always be remembered.
Tom’s sister-in-law, Alice Kerr, wife to Tom’s brother Edward, passed away in November.