In Florida, you can go to the Goblin Market and turn your trash into treasure

If you’re a fan of outdoor markets, Renaissance fairs, cosplay, food trucks, artists, baked goods, or just plain fun, the Goblin Market is the place for you. The traveling monthly market allows locals and visitors alike to buy directly from artists from the central Florida area.

The event features a plethora of food and drink options provided by local food trucks, and usually, a nearby restaurant will also get in on the fun. Establishments previously connected to the market include Ivanhoe Park Brewing Company, Tamale Co. Mexican Street Food, and Enzian Theatre, which screened Trolls 2 during the event. How’s that for complementary programming? 

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Artful trading: how the Goblin Market shapes transactions

But wait, there’s more! The popular trading tent, a staple of every market, is a magical place where vendors and visitors can barter with their own unwanted goods for pretty much everything. The only rule: one must seek the approval of the Goblin King before making a trade. The entire event is run by volunteers, all of whom believe in the goblin creed of connecting those whose trash could become one another’s treasure.

Courtney Ring, Goblin King and mastermind of the event, kicked off the first market in March 2024 and saw a response they couldn’t have predicted.

“I’ve been so overwhelmed and honored. For the first market, I thought, ‘If 100 people turn out, I’ll be happy.’ We probably had 500.”

Building bonds: the role of community in the Goblin Market’s success

The turnout continues to amaze. “People are really leaning into it,” Ring says, from the goblin theme to benefits inherent for artists and visitors both. “You only have so much space as a vendor. Stuff that’s misprinted or stained gets moved to the back burner.”

Allowing people to purchase these items at a discount not only helps more people buy art who otherwise might not have been able to afford it, but it also strengthens the arts community in The City Beautiful.” 

For Ring, the “implicit queerness” of the event has been part of what makes it so successful.

“Most vendors, volunteers, and artists at the event are queer people. Even the goblin-theming is very queer-coded. We’re an accepting, nonchalant community. When you’re young and trans or gender nonconforming, there are all these people who you’re excited to see, and you can also see yourself in their art.”

Community spirit: events and gatherings that enrich the market experience

The markets and summer swaps (smaller, trade-focused meetups) are already wildly successful, but Ring isn’t stopping here. “We’re going bigger and better!”

This means a live goblin character carousing at the event performed by local drag artist Davi Oddity with special effects by Emmett Wagner, miniature trading quests, and possibly performances or live music.

“It’s a five-hour event,” Ring says. “If you’re coming from out of town, it’s something you can make a day of.”

The next market will occur on Sunday, September 1st, 2024 at Park Ave CDs in Audubon Park. Visitors can expect all the goblin shenanigans they know and love as well as new and exciting additions.