Flea Market Information & Rules
Show Hours
March - November
Friday 8am-5pm
Saturday 7am-6pm
Sunday 7am-4pm
December - February
Friday noon-5pm
Saturday 7am-6pm
Sunday 7am-4pm
Tour Bus Directions
From Interstate 65
Turn right at 1st light onto Bransford Avenue, go to 4 way stop turn left on Benton Ave, go to top for drop off and parking.
From Interstate 440
Turn left on Craighead just after cross over railroad tracks, go to 1st light turn right on Bransford, go to 4 way stop turn right on Benton Avenue, go to top for drop off and parking.
Gate Hours
Raines Avenue gate is open from 4:30 - 9pm on Thursday prior to the market and reopens at 6 am Friday morning and does not close until 10:30 on Sunday evening. Dealers must have a pass to enter. All Dealers must use the Rains Avenue Gate for entering and exiting.
Parking
Parking attendants and security personnel direct public parking. There is a $3 fee to park. We also provide Nashville Transit Service Bus to shuttle customers and dealers up to the Market area. Handicapped parking is located in lots A-1, A-2, A-3, and A-4 and is always free for those with handicap permit. Dealers can park in A rows, Lot 2, or Five Points. No large trucks or trailers are allowed in the handicapped lots without management approval. Trailers and large trucks must park in the Five Points area located on the backside of fairgrounds property.
RV Parking
All overnight parking must be in the RV parking area or be in a paid booth space if remaining overnight. Prices for dealers are $35.00 per night with late departure allowed for Sunday following the close of the Market. Dealers who pay for their sites in advance pay a special rate of $30.00 per night.
Reservations & Booth Payment
Reservations are made month by month. New reservations for the next market are not accepted until one week after the conclusion of the Flea Market. This allows us to assign permanent spaces as well as waiting list requests. All Permanent Dealers must make their reservation for the following month prior to Monday following the Market at 4:30 pm CST. If you do not have a permanent space and wish to set up for the next Market, we will be glad to reserve the booth you were in provided that it is not someone’s permanent space. If the booth belongs to someone on a permanent basis, we will place you on our waiting list and get you as close to your request as possible. Dealers with more seniority will be given priority on the waiting list. You will be notified with a reservation notice that must be paid within 5 business days or the reservation will be cancelled.
All booths must be prepaid. Checks should be made out to Tennessee State Fair Flea Market or we accept MasterCard or Visa.
Booth Cancellation
Absolutely no refunds will be issued for cancellations made after Friday 4:30 p.m. one week prior to the market. Booths may only be cancelled by speaking directly with the office. No “answering machine” cancellations accepted.
If booth payment is not received in five days, the reservation will be cancelled automatically.
Booth Prices
Prices range between $45 and $115 per weekend.
All booths must display a paid receipt at all times.
Booth sizes are 9 x 10 (Building); 10 x 10 (Shed); 10 x 18 (Parking lot)
Rollover
Permanent Dealers may rollover one time per year, otherwise you must pay for your space during the month not present or forfeit your space. A full one-week notice is required for rollover. No refund or rollover will be issued if notice is not given before 4:30 p.m. Friday, one week prior to the Market. You must speak to someone directly to give notice of rollover. No “answering machine” rollovers accepted.
Refunds
No cash refunds are given through the Flea Market Office. We will allow you a credit to be used at future markets provided that you gave one-week cancellation notice for rollover . No shows and late arrivals will forfeit space and rent paid. Booths must be occupied by 7:30 am Saturday morning. If you arrive after 7:30 am, you must report to the Flea Market Office to see if your space has been rented to another Dealer.
Subletting
Subletting, loaning, renting, or selling of your booth space to someone else is strictly prohibited. All rights to the booth space belong to Tennessee State Fairgrounds Flea Market Management. Booths can be reassigned, when necessary, for the good of the Market.
Prohibited Items
No food, drink, or concession items can be sold at this Market without management approval. Illegal, stolen, counterfeit items, or outdated medications or merchandise are strictly forbidden and not to be sold on the premises. Persons selling animals, nursery stock and live plants must meet special requirements prior to setting up. Dealers understand that they may not sell any item, which violates federal, state, or local laws. Dealer agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Tennessee State Fair, Nashville Metropolitan Government, their employees, officers, agents, from any and all claims for damage arising out of actions of Dealer directly, or indirectly.
Sale of Concession Items Prohibited
No concession items may be sold at the Flea Market. The term "concession items" includes, without limitation, any food or beverage, prepared or unprepared, that is capable of being consumed on the premises or any food or beverage that, in the opinion of the Flea Market Manager, constitutes a concession item. "Concessions items" do not include whole pies and cakes greater than 8 inches in diameter, prepackaged candy, cookies, chips, fudge, and nuts sold in amounts not less than (3) pounds. All food items sold must be approved by the Flea Market Manager prior to set up by the Dealer. The sale of any food or drink that is a concession item, or any food or drink that is sold without permission of the Flea Market Manager is strictly prohibited.
Health Permit
Any dealer who seeks to sell prepared food (food prepared off the Flea Market premises) must submit a list to the Flea Market Manager for approval of the food items the dealer wishes to sell. The dealer must also provide to the Flea Market Manager a current permit to sell these prepared food items issued by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. The dealer must display the permit issued by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture in an open and conspicuous location in and around dealer’s booth so that it is plainly visible to the public. The dealer does not have to provide such a permit if the dealer is only selling pre-packaged food that is not potentially hazardous, and such food is packaged from an approved, licensed establishment. Home made and or repackaged foods are strictly prohibited, including but not limited to, pies, cakes, and fudge. Anyone preparing food on the premises must have and display a current permit the Tennessee Department of Health. Permits from other states are not accepted. No dealer may sell any prepared food in contradiction of this section. The booth privileges granted to any dealer who fails to comply with this section may be terminated immediately in the sole and absolute discretion of the Flea Market Manager or the Fair Director.
No Partnership with the Fairgrounds
It is specifically agreed and understood that nothing in the agreement between the Tennessee State Fair and Dealer shall in any way create a partnership or joint venture between the parties.
Dealers Property and Liability
The Market is not responsible for any Dealer’s property, liability arising out of negligent acts on behalf of Dealer or their employees, or for any injuries sustained by Dealers or their employees. Dealers should provide adequate insurance to cover property and liability. Dealer agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Tennessee State Fair, Nashville Metropolitan Government, their employees, officers, and agents from any and all claims for damage arising out of, actions of Dealer directly or indirectly.
Soliciting
No solicitation is allowed on the grounds of Tennessee State Fair without written authorization from management and the Fair Board. A brochure table is provided in the Flea Market Office. See Manager for permission.
Security
For your safety and security, we provide Metro Police Officers and Security Guards. They are here to enforce rules, regulations, and the law. The Tennessee State Fair Flea Market, Security, nor Police assume any responsibility for Dealer’s property. In the event of an emergency, First Aid and Security are located in the Livestock Office, next to the ATM. Phone number (during Flea Market weekend only) 615-862-8990, 615-862-5016 or 615-485-5574.
Sales Tax
All Dealers are required to have either a Tennessee Sales Tax Number or a Certificate of Registration. Certificates of registration can be purchased in the office for $5.00 monthly (limit of 3 per year), $15.00 quarterly (limit of 2 per year), or $45.00 annually. You must display your certificate in your booth at all times.
License Fees
If you do not have a valid Davidson County and/or Metro Business License, we will provide you with one for $4.00. This is a requirement to sell at our Market.
Set Up
Dealers can begin setting up at noon on Thursday. All Dealers must have gate passes to enter the Market area. Dealer Parking is located in A Lots, Lot 2, and Five Points. Please see your map for directions. Dealers must unload merchandise and immediately move to the Dealer Parking Area. Please do not set up your booth as you unload. There are many Dealer’s setting up at the same time and everyone needs access to the loading and unloading areas. Move your vehicle as soon as you get unloaded. No vehicles are allowed in the buildings. All Dealers must stay within boundaries of the assigned booth. Please do not place merchandise in the aisles. Dealers must have their cars and trucks moved to Dealer Parking by 9 am Saturday and Sunday. Dealer Passes must be displayed in the front window at all times. For fire and safety reasons, vehicles are not allowed to park in the fire lanes, in doorways, or places not designated as parking or loading zones. Please understand our request and know that violators will be towed at owner’s expense. You must be set up by 7:30 am Saturday or your space will be forfeit.
Fairgrounds Property
No signs, banners, nails, screws, or advertising material may be placed on the buildings, walls, and doors. This includes taping anything to the doors. Do not hang or attach anything to the gutters and downspouts of the buildings or sheds. We allow free standing tents and canopies provided that they have a flame spread certificate NFPA 701, inspected, and approved by the Fire Marshal. Your certificate must be sent to the Flea Market office one week prior to the Market. The Metro Fire Marshal has ruled that no one may set up a tent or canopy without an application for permit, which we will provide upon request.
Pick Up Points
For the safety of our customers and Dealers, the Market area will be closed to all vehicles during the following hours:
Saturday 9 am until 5:00 pm
Saturday (winter) 9 am until 4 pm during the winter (December through February)
Sunday 9 am until 4:00 pm
During the hours the market area is closed to vehicles pick up points have been established at the edge of the Market at various points. See your Dealer map. Customers must have receipts or pick up passes to access the pick up points. If you sell large items we will strive to get you close to a pick up point upon your request. It is your job to provide the customer with merchandise pick up pass. We provide these for you in the office.
Electricity
Electricity is provided in all buildings, Shed 2, 3, 4, and 5. An extension cord may be necessary to access the plugs and plugs are shared between the booths. No cords may cross walkways. $2.50 for one outlet or $5 for two or more.
Church Services
Church Services are provided each Sunday of the Market at 8 am in the Sports Arena. Feel free to attend.
Equipment Rental
Tables are available for rent in 6 and 8 foot lengths. The rental fee is $8.00 per table per weekend, chairs $5.
Payments for equipment rental can be made at the Flea Market Office. Equipment rental locations cannot accept payment for equipment. Please retain the yellow copy of your receipt to pick up equipment as this receipt cannot be reprinted or replaced if it is lost.
You will have to pick up your equipment at the Equipment Building located at the rear of the Agriculture building:
| Location | Day | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment Building (Maintenance Shop) |
Thursday Friday Saturday |
noon - 8pm 8am - 8pm 7am - 9am |
Gifts
Flea Market staff and maintenance employees are employees of the Board of Fair Commissioners. As government employees we are not allowed to accept gifts. Please do not offer gifts of gratitude or affection.
Smoking
All buildings are "NO SMOKING" by city ordinance. No open flames allowed in building by order of Fire Marshal.
Pets
No pets are allowed on the grounds unless they can be carried. Pets used for "Medical Aid" are allowed inside the buildings. Pet owners are expected to clean up after their pets.
Permanent Space Assignment Procedure
Permanent spaces can be assigned following Dealer’s fulfillment of one year of rental on a space available basis. A waiting list is available for each building, shed and lot. Dealer names will be placed on the waiting list upon request following one year of rental. While we want to get Dealers in the space of choice, this is most often impossible. When a space comes open, we will contact the first person on the list. If the Dealer refuses the space then he/she is moved to the bottom of the list. Permanent Dealers must pay for their space each month (in advance) whether or not in attendance with the exception of the one month "rollover".
Break Down
Our Market remains open until 6 pm on Saturday and 4 pm on Sunday. No vehicles are allowed in the Market area for the purpose of loading out prior to the close time. Exceptions are made for inclement weather and emergencies. Clearance must be given by Police personnel or the Market Manager prior to moving vehicle early. When loading out, please have all merchandise packed and ready to load before moving your vehicle from the Dealer parking area. Please do not block the doors and roadways. All Dealers are responsible for leaving their space neat, with trash together in bags. The Fairgrounds property should be vacated no later than 10 pm Sunday evening.
Americans with Disabilities Act
People with disabilities represent a significant portion of the population and are equally reflected in the number of guests attending the Tennessee State Fairgrounds. Ensuring equal participation by all guests is important and beneficial to you, your company, and the Fairgrounds. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandates equal treatment of persons with disabilities. The ADA defines an “individual with a disability” as a person who has physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more, major life activities, who has a record of such impairment, or who is regarded as having such impairment. Every effort should be made to give guests with disabilities the opportunity to participate and enjoy all aspects of the Flea Market. When the safety of guests or employees will be placed in jeopardy, then the admission may be refused.