It’s that time of year that any true southern Minnesota flea market fanatic awaits.

This weekend, over 800 vendors trading in vintage farming equipment, antique furniture, homemade metalwork and much more will be flocking to the Pioneer Power Showgrounds from all across the country for the 47th annual Pioneer Power Swap Meet.

The three-day event, held between Friday April 26 through Sunday April 28 the Pioneer Power Showgrounds is a draw to thousands of customers and sellers ready to exchange their prized possessions. Between vintage toys, antique furniture, homegrown foods and rare vehicle parts, there’s an endless array of items in store for those willing to trek the 130-acres worth of sales spread across the showgrounds.

“Expect the unexpected,” said Pioneer Power President John Thelemann. “It’s amazing how the different variety of items that come into the swap meet. It used to be heavy iron and tractor parts, but now it’s expanded to home crafts and stuff like that. It’s not just for the hardcore collector of iron, it’s a good attraction for ladies and gals who want to decorate their rooms with neat artifacts and stuff like that.”

The Pioneer Power Swap Meet has established a foothold in the flea market world being one of the region’s largest and earliest events in the swap meet season. Over the years, the event has attracted vendors from all 50 states, Canada and even sellers from Ireland, Belgium and other nations overseas.

“We’re kind of the first of the season for this type of thing so they’ll come here to Le Sueur and then there’s other ones the next weekend and the next weekend. So they kind of progress and go on from one to the next,” said Thelemann. “There’s a lot of retired people who make their living selling stuff and they pretty much run the circuit and we’re the start in the northern USA.”

In its 47 years of festivities, the Pioneer Power Swap Meet had endured plenty of rain, snow and sleet. But whether the weather is sunny or stormy, Pioneer Power Showgrounds consistently brings in well over 700 sellers.

“We always fight weather, but that does not deter people from vending or the people coming in to buy. They like to make a joke of it, and complain a little bit, but nobody can change the weather and they still come,” said Thelemann.

In preparation for this year’s Swap Meet, Pioneer Power debuted a new youth hauler certification program, allowing young people between the ages of 12 and 17 to operate golf carts and lawn mowers on the showgrounds to help guests and vendors haul their items. The program provides safety training to youth haulers and will be required every year they plan to participate.

In addition to the vendor sales, guests will have plenty of opportunities to enjoy meals and snacks at Thresher’s Kitchen or one of the 15 outside vendors offering food at the showgrounds.

If there’s anything you want, or didn’t know you wanted, Thelemann said there’s a good chance you can find it at the swap meet.

“Le Sueur has been known for being the go-to place to find that oddball thing but they always make the comment that if you want to find what you’re looking for, come to Le Sueur because somebody will have it,” said Thelemann.

If You Go The Pioneer Power Swap Meet is free to enter Friday, Saturday and Sunday April 26-28 between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. The Pioneer Power SHowgrounds are located six miles east of Le Sueur at 34605 265th Ave.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Music and dance in Pioneer Hall till 11 pm Friday and Saturday nights.

Friday, August 23
“The Leon Olsen Show”

Friday, August 23 
“Swinging Country Band with
Phyllis Hummel” Jolly Brewers Band

Saturday, August 24
“OLD WORLD BATTLE OF THE BANDS”
The Jolly Brewers led by Jon Dietz and the Babe Wagner Band led by Jerry Minar.
Bands alternating every hour.

Saturday, August 24
Kids State Sanctioned Pedal Pull

Sunday, August 25
Tim Chlan Band

Sunday, August 27
“Mitchell Hall and The Tennessee Trio”
(A Tribute to Johnny Cash)