REPULSE BAY - Repulse Bay bargain hunters were out in full force at the February instalment of the monthly flea market hosted by Tusarvik school.

The flea market has become an eagerly-anticipated event at the school since principal Leonie Aissaoui started it when she first arrived in the community about 13 years ago.

The market is used as a monthly fundraiser for the school, with those selling items at the event paying $5 for a table to display their wares.

The money raised each month goes towards supporting student sports and other programs at the school.

Aissaoui says those with tables start laying out their goods at 2:45 p.m. on a Saturday afternoon, and the buyers are allowed to start coming in at 3 p.m.

She says most of the items are sold within 90 minutes.

"We used to let the sellers at their tables at 2:30 p.m., but we found that was too long because they would get set up and then buy from each other before the people came in," says Aissaoui.

"We felt it was only fair to cut the time so most of the items would still be available when the public starting coming in."

Aissaoui says the number of people who attend the event varies from month to month, but it's not uncommon to see 70 to 100 people show up at any given flea market.

She says the event gives people the opportunity to get rid of things just taking up space in their homes that others can use.

"Some people bring in clothes their kids have outgrown, some bring in items they don't use anymore and others bake goods to sell.

"There are also times when someone is leaving the community and this is a way for them to sell things they don't want to take with them."

Aissaoui says staff members volunteer their time to help out with the event.

She says as with all fundraisers, there's more too it than meets the eye.

"The tables are being used around the school, so we have to walk to the different classrooms and carry them back to be set up.

"Then, when the flea market is over, we have to put the tables back, clean up and do the floors.

"So, like every event, it wouldn't be possible if people didn't volunteer their time to help out."