There’s a little town in Iowa with a very quirky name: What Cheer. It was once a booming coal town but the mining days are long over, and What Cheer is now a sleepy place.

Most of the time, that is.

For three weekends each year, boom times return to What Cheer, as thousands swarm this little hamlet for the What Cheer Flea Market. It’s a huge event and if you haven’t been to What Cheer, you need to make the trip.

Here’s why.

What Cheer is located in southeast Iowa, in Keokuk County. During the mining days, it was once home to about 5,000 people but today just 600 people live here. The population spikes considerably during the What Cheer Flea Market.

Facebook / What Cheer Flea Market

The market takes place three weekends each year - the first weekend of May, the first weekend of August and the first weekend of October.

Facebook / What Cheer Flea Market

The market is held at the Keokuk County Fairgrounds. It spans 20 acres and is one of the largest in the Midwest. It has over 400 vendors who fill 700 spaces. About 30,000 people attend the market each year.

Facebook / What Cheer Flea Market

When you visit this market, you’ll see why it’s so popular. You can find pretty much anything, including antiques, military memorabilia, old tools, stamps, coins, baseball cards and more. If you are looking for home furnishings, you can find just want you need at a great price.

Facebook / What Cheer Flea Market

Kids of all ages will find plenty of things to buy at this giant outdoor market.

Facebook / What Cheer Flea Market

The market has items for any type of collector, including a lot of antique Iowa farm items. If you grew up on an Iowa farm, you may see a few familiar things.

Facebook / What Cheer Flea Market

Each day that the market takes place, the gates open at 7 a.m. Arrive early for the best deals! Interested in more great finds? Here are some more amazing flea markets you absolutely have to visit.

Facebook / What Cheer Flea Market

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Address: What Cheer, IA 50268, USA