The Topanga Swap Meet Rides Again!

While there were still no bands, chili or pie contests, there was a fun Cake Walk and super cool music at the Topanga Community Center ballfield as vendors gathered to sell their wares.

By Annemarie Donkin

The sun broke through the clouds as nearly thirty vendors displayed clothing, jewelry, books, toys, Western saddles, electronics, records, bric-a-brac and knick-knacks of all kinds at the annual Topanga Community Center Swap Meet and Spring Cleaning on Saturday, April 15.

As one of the regular fundraisers for the Topanga Community Center, the annual Swap Meet has always been one of the coolest events in the Canyon!

Brothers Keith and John Franks drove up from the Valley to sell vintage stuff including an eclectic mix of Grateful Dead t-shirts, tools and miscellaneous Rock ‘n’ Roll items. Keith said that for years they loved selling at the Topanga Swap Meet and were thrilled that the event has returned after COVID.

Another exhibitor, Lauren Beth-Aubrey Richwine, known as the Dream Queen looked lovely crowned with a pretty sun hat while she displayed new and vintage clothing in a fluttery booth at the edge of the ballfield. A personal healer, Richwine offers dreamwork, customized jewelry and essential oils for healing and transformation. Find her at: dreamqueen@dreamqueen.love.

Other Topanga exhibitors who brought interesting items for sale were Dayna Miller, Dave and Donna Thompson, Christy Collins and Erle Eddy.

With a sign declaring “Support our Wedding Fund,” Sophie Zeiler and Guy Walker sold games, shoes and everything they could to fund their May 20 wedding at the Mountain Mermaid.

Highlighting the fun day was a Cake Walk, where parents and kids walked around a huge circle hoping to land on the correct number to win a delicious cake!

“We had many lovely cakes and some very happy participants walk away with a cake of their choice,” said Kelly Rockwell, president of the Topanga Community Club. She said some of the winners were Aya and Ben LaBrot, father and daughter pair who won a beautiful raspberry cake. Mother and son Niko and Molly Lynn won a peanut butter and chocolate cake and Nash Sallade selected a rainbow cake for his prize.

Spinning vintage tunes from the mainstage in the afternoon, DJ Jill Epstein played classic rock, Funk, Soul and Hip Hop that made folks really want to dance.

Isn’t that just the coolest thing you can do on a gorgeous day at the Swap Meet?

The Topanga Community Center (TCC) is a 501(c)3 non-profit volunteer organization, independently owned and maintained by the citizens of Topanga. Its major fundraiser, the annual Topanga Days festival, is coming up at the end of May. Founded in 1949, it has been the only community center available to generations of Topanga Canyon residents. The TCC is funded, not through county or state taxes, but by membership dues, donations and fund-raising. The Center hosts monthly senior dinners through the efforts of the Canyon Sages, youth arts programming through Topanga Youth Services, and offers seasonal events for community members of all ages, as well as access and support for philanthropic, educational, and community activities and services. The adjacent ballfield is the home field of the Topanga Youth Baseball and Soccer League.

The Topanga Community Center is dedicated to protect, maintain, upgrade and enhance the Community House and the grounds entrusted to its care as part of its charter. It is the income from rentals for weddings and special events plus fundraising that keeps the doors open. Be a part of the Topanga Community Center!

For more information or to become a member: topangacommunitycenter.com.