In place will be a special hygiene and infection protection plan designed for flea markets. The organizer says it is compulsory to wear a face mask. Minimum distances must also be observed and contact details recorded. The stands have to be at least three meters long.

Sellers will be set up along a four-kilometer stretch. The location in the Rheinaue on Ludwig-Erhard-Allee in Bonn becomes a meeting place for flea market vendors and visitors from all over the region.

The flea market organizer is called "Melan macht Märkte" and with this flea market in Bonn, it runs one of the largest and most popular flea markets in the region. It is normally held seven times a season, once a month in summer and early fall. Beginning again in July and running through October, the flea market will be held every third Saturday of the month.

Those who plan on selling things at the flea market should not waste any time in signing up because the spots are in demand. The times when vendors could stake out their territory a day in advance are long gone. Since 2012, vendors can reserve a place in advance, either online or in person. But for those who decide rather spontaneously to sell some things, there is also a possibility to get a space. One can look online at the map and see where there are still open slots: www.flohmarkt-rheinaue.de.

Price/stand rental: For those who want to rent a stand, you pay eight euros per meter of the longest part of the sales front.

Deposit: There is a cleaning deposit of ten euros (refundable only on the day of the event from 8am to 6pm)

Reservation/booking: at www.flohmarkt-rheinaue.de. This should be done at the latest by Friday 1 pm before the day of the flea market or on Fridays from 9:30 am to 3 pm on site; five euro booking fee; the space is held until 7 am the day of the flea market

Setup: Fridays before the flea market from 4 pm

For setting up a stand on Saturday morning, it is best to get there early. Vehicles are not allowed to drive in the Rheinaue, and the parking spaces in the immediate vicinity are in great demand - which of course sellers need for unloading their goods. There are 200 free parking spaces in the Post Tower's underground car park and these have been well-received by visitors in recent years. Many prefer to take the tram, as line 66 stops right in the middle of the Rheinaue.

So flea market enthusiasts have something to look forward to on the third Saturday of each month from 8 am. to 6 pm. Old treasures, clothes, furniture, CDs and records or toys - almost everything can be found at the Rheinaue flea market. Very important: No new goods may be sold. Anyone who does not sell used items typically found in flea markets will be removed from the site.

One still has to see if the weather will be nice for the season opening. But judging by past seasons, buyers and sellers have not been deterred by a little drizzle.

(Orig. text: GA / Translation: Carol Kloeppel)