Treasure Hunting at the Daffodil Fest Tag Sale

The pouring rain and chilling cold couldn’t chase area bargain hunters away from a circus-sized tent in Hubbard Park Saturday for the Daffodil Festival’s annual tag sale.

From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., shoppers from throughout the area perused tables upon tables filled with everything from shoes to crafts to antiques.

Why step out when the weather was so frightful?

Bill Sorvillo of Middletown brought his wife and two young daughters to shop at the event because he said the family was stir crazy after the long harsh winter. He didn't expect to see so many people at the tag sale because of the rain.

"I guess everyone needs to get out of the house," he said.

Others were Daffodil Fest tag sale die-hards.

Kristine Burke of Bristol was primarily selling baby items that her children had outgrown at her table. Burke, who is originially from Meriden, has brought her wares to the fest for 5 or 6 years, she approximates.

"The hardest part in selling your stuff here is not buying other people's stuff," Burke said. She enjoys the haggling that sometimes goes on between the seller and buyer. "When you start conversations, you get a flow, you know your things are going to a good home."

Pam Mangan and Carol Reed, both of New Britain, had one of a handful of tables whose proceeds went to charities. The two were raising funds for the American Cancer Society's "Relay for Life" by selling bracelets they made from soda can flip tops.  Both have survived battles with cancer -- Mangan is 18 months and Reed two years cancer-free. The two are part of the Berlin Relay for Life team and said they netted $1,300 thus far in selling the bracelets throughout the year.

Melissa Mangini of Southington left the tag sale tent loaded with five bags and one picnic basket full of items. It was Mangini's first time at the event.

"I'm very impressed," Melissa said about the items in her haul. "Everyone's very nice, too."

This weekend's sale, along with a fishing derby and boxing event, was a precurser to next week's official Daffodil Festival at Hubbard Park beginning Saturday.