Hundreds to flock to Greenfield for swap meet

Members of a group formed to plan the Greenfield Swap Meet, set for Friday, Sept. 9 through Sunday, Sept. 11 at the Adair County Fairgrounds, are excited to see the fruits of their labor blossom in the 2022 version of the event.

The organization Early Wheels of Iowa was a longtime catalyst of the swap meet, filled with members who love older vehicles of all kinds, however the group has struggled in recent years to pool together volunteers to put on the large event.

A group of residents in and around Adair County gathered several years ago to plan the meet when they thought Early Wheels was going to give it up, however they did not at that time. The local committee has helped Early Wheels the last few years but are actually taking it over this year.

The event started in Atlantic but was moved decades ago to Greenfield. It brings a large number of people to the community. While the number of vendors has recently been down, it still takes up a large portion of the fairgrounds. Organizers are hopeful it might pick back up a little going forward.

“Everybody just thought we should keep it here. A lot of the guys said that yeah, we should,” Schultz said. “We formed a little committee. We been working on it and getting people involved in it.”

Schultz said that it isn’t only “car nuts” who come to the swap meet. There are flea market and craft-type vendors as well. Greenfield often has citywide garage sales that coincide with the swap meet.

Outdoor spaces for vendors are $30 and indoor spaces are $20. No setups are allowed until Friday.

Food and drink are available on the grounds each day of the meet. Pets are welcome, however they must be on a leash with shots up to date. Parking for vendors will be at vendor spaces or in public parking. Free, non-hookup camping is available on the grounds.

“This brings people in from all over,” Schultz said. “There are a lot of people who come out with their families and look. It’s curiosity that gets them in there.”