Lake Argyle Labor Day's hot spot
Jennifer Washburn
Issue date: 9/9/09 Section: News
Every Labor Day weekend for the past three decades, Lake Argyle State Park, located two miles north of Colchester, has transformed from a quiet camping and fishing spot for locals into one of Western Illinois' biggest flea markets and craft shows.
Known as the Lake Argyle Antique Engine Show and Flea Market, the four-day event attracts thousands of bargain hunters who rummage through the tables of dozens of vendors selling items such as vintage vinyl albums, Coca-Cola and Pepsi-Cola memorabilia, books, blankets, furniture, tools, clothing and even road signs.
Vendors came from as far away as Keokuk, Iowa and New Windsor, Ill. to peddle their wares - with each seeming to sell something just a little bit different from the others.
For example, Doug George of 4G Designs in Keokuk, traveled to Lake Argyle to sell custom T-shirts that he would spray paint with any design that was requested. George, who has been spray-painting T-shirts since he was 12 years old, said he has turned his hobby into a full-time job since being laid off last June.
"I didn't like the clothes that were bought for me, so I made my own," he said as he worked on a custom order.
George works under the name "4-Given" and the company name is 4G Designs. He goes to various shows around the area and birthday parties selling custom T-shirts.
He has been traveling around to different events each weekend sinc June. George mentioned that what he does is cross-generational. He has had everyone from doctors and lawyers to church groups order shirts.
"I never thought it would turn into this," he said.
George had been working since about 10 a.m. Saturday and already had about two pages of orders from people at the flea market by noon.
George doesn't just work on T-shirts. He also paints sweatshirts, hats, shoes and anything else.
He also does artwork with spray paint. George would use masking tape to tape off a certain design such as a name. He would then take different colors of spray paint and bunch up certain areas of the shirt and spray it.
Known as the Lake Argyle Antique Engine Show and Flea Market, the four-day event attracts thousands of bargain hunters who rummage through the tables of dozens of vendors selling items such as vintage vinyl albums, Coca-Cola and Pepsi-Cola memorabilia, books, blankets, furniture, tools, clothing and even road signs.
Vendors came from as far away as Keokuk, Iowa and New Windsor, Ill. to peddle their wares - with each seeming to sell something just a little bit different from the others.
For example, Doug George of 4G Designs in Keokuk, traveled to Lake Argyle to sell custom T-shirts that he would spray paint with any design that was requested. George, who has been spray-painting T-shirts since he was 12 years old, said he has turned his hobby into a full-time job since being laid off last June.
"I didn't like the clothes that were bought for me, so I made my own," he said as he worked on a custom order.
George works under the name "4-Given" and the company name is 4G Designs. He goes to various shows around the area and birthday parties selling custom T-shirts.
He has been traveling around to different events each weekend sinc June. George mentioned that what he does is cross-generational. He has had everyone from doctors and lawyers to church groups order shirts.
"I never thought it would turn into this," he said.
George had been working since about 10 a.m. Saturday and already had about two pages of orders from people at the flea market by noon.
George doesn't just work on T-shirts. He also paints sweatshirts, hats, shoes and anything else.
He also does artwork with spray paint. George would use masking tape to tape off a certain design such as a name. He would then take different colors of spray paint and bunch up certain areas of the shirt and spray it.
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