Sumter County Farmers Market, Florida

Flea markets abound in Florida, but Webster's extravaganza–among the state's oldest and largest–astonishes even seasoned flea market goers like me.

It's actually two adjoining markets: the Sumter County Farmers Market (also called the Webster Flea Market) and the Webster Westside Flea Market. Together, they encompass up to 4,000 dealers spread over 55 acres–wear comfortable walking shoes! Both markets offer restaurants, food vendors and restrooms.

Webster is where State Highway 471 meets County Road 478 in central Florida, about 4 miles north of State Highway 50, 20 miles east of I-75 and about 50 miles west of Orlando; the main entrance is downtown on Highway 471.

The Webster Flea Market (1-352/793-2021) opens at 6:30 a.m. every Monday, except when Christmas falls on Monday. The Westside Flea Market (1-352/793-9877) opens slightly earlier. The best selection is generally in the morning, as many vendors start packing up shortly after noon. Most parking nearby costs about $2.