Event will last through Saturday at WC Fairgrounds
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Molly Floding holds a days old baby for the first time in a year this week as My Mommy Mart kicks off in the junior fair building in Marietta.
Purple hair, pandemic surprise baby booms and a ton of strollers, cribs, books and toys surround aisles of children's clothes filling the Junior Fair Building at the Washington County Fairgrounds in Marietta once again.
The event runs from 4-8 p.m. today, 1-6 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday.
It's a tradition that didn't happen last spring due to coronavirus, but has come back full force for the 11th year with as much fervor as normally reserved for fall sales of My Mommy Mart.
"But because spring last year we had to cancel, people have been sitting on stuff for a whole year, plus whatever they had to buy new for summer last year," explained Founding Organizer Molly Floding, of Williamstown.
Floding's purple hair is ready to whirl between all of the volunteers and consignors participating in the multi-day event, a children's item swap of sorts that Floding describes as families "basically renting" quality items from each other and then passing it on when their littles outgrow the ruffles, athletic gear, Paw Patrol or stroller.
Today at 4 p.m. up to 150 members of the public at a time can hop in on the deals priced at approximately 30 percent of retail price browsing through more than 30,000 items from 300 consignors.
"Last night so many of the sales were for swim suits with tags still on them," laughed a returning face helping Floding manage the tradition, Nicole Fortune, formerly of Oak Grove, who moved to Michigan last year.
And many, they said, are shopping for new life entering families after months of confinement left parents to their own devices.
"We have so many who thought they were done having kids and then the pandemic," chuckled Fortune.
"They'd gotten rid of all of their baby stuff, the crib, the clothes," added Floding. "Now they're back and this is perfect for them."
First-time consignor, but long-time shopper of the event Liz Johnson said she was blown away by the range of apparel and toys available.
"They really have put together something so organized and well done," she said this week. "I thought why not try selling this year and see if those things can be used by a new family."
No diaper bags will be permitted on the sales floor. PayPal, cash, credit and debit cards are accepted at a pay station at the entrance to the Junior Fair Building. Masks and social distancing are required.
Janelle Patterson may be reached at jpatterson@mariettatimes.com.