FAIRVIEW PARK, Ohio - After a successful inaugural year, the Fairview Fleafest returns from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday in the Fairview High School parking lot.

"Last year we wanted to try something different," Fairview Park Recreation & Community Center Recreation Program Coordinator Danielle Danburg said. "We hosted food trucks for several years before, but we just wanted to look to do something new.

"The fleas are very popular. We have a lot of very creative people locally so we thought we would take an opportunity to see how we can showcase many of the folks, vendors who live on the West Side."

The biannual event includes a spring and fall date at the end of September. Last year the number of vendors jumped from 25 to 35 with nearly 40 expected to attend the upcoming affair, which features local artisans, home-based businesses and food trucks.

While it's hard to keep up with attendance, Danburg said more than 1,000 people visit the event throughout the day.

"The Fairview Flea gives our local residents an opportunity to highlight their talents of woodworking, painting etc.," Fairview Park Mayor Eileen Patton said. "The community has been very supportive of our Flea. It's an event not to be missed."

Something new for this year's Fairview Fleafest is the introduction of free recreation classes: A 9 a.m. yoga class at the High School stadium is followed by a 10 a.m. outdoor fit camp class.

"We just wanted to add a little extra something," Danburg said. "We thought we would give people an opportunity to see other things that we offer here at the rec center and just to get people going on a Saturday morning before shopping, of course."

While parking is limited, Danburg encourages visitors to walk, bike or use public transportation when attending the Fairview Flea.

The city spends roughly $200 for each Fairview Fleafest event. In an effort to keep costs down, vendors provide their own tent and table. One local business owner returning this year is Crooked River Timber's Bob King.

"This is my third time participating," King said. "What I most love about the event is how community is prized above all else. It celebrates all that's good about Fairview Park: supporting local vendors and communing with friends and family over great food from the trucks.

"Given that this festival takes places in the spacious parking lot area among the Library, Recreation Center and High School, it's in the heart of our city. I can't wait to see our town leaders and the friendly smiles of our local community members."