Lillian Young Has Been Parking Attendant At Friendship Flea Market For 33 Years

Lillian travels 263 miles from Dutch Valley, Tennessee to Friendship twice a year.

(Friendship, IN) – As I am sitting in the parking lot booth with Lillian during the June 2021 Friendship Flea Market show, I am privileged to experience first-hand just how recognized and adored Lillian is by the crowds of Friendship. Almost every vehicle that drove through had something to say to Lillian as if they have known her their entire life. I have to say, she was quick with her come backs to the jokes, comments, and questions. “Driver: Does anyone know where the old sexy man parking is? Lillian: I don’t see any sexy men here.” I had some good laughs. She did admit she likes coming down here to see her “men” and her friends joke with her saying that is the only reason she comes up to do this job. She is also very sharp and speedy with her exchange system. Taking cash with the change in hand ready to give with their ticket to come in and out of the parking lot all day.

As I sat there with her for over an hour and a half on a very warm Wednesday afternoon, Lillian told me stories about her life. Don’t worry, she had on gear to stay cool in the shade with a nice fan breeze.

Lillian makes the trip to Friendship, Indiana twice a year for the June and September shows. She told me she drives up with the help from a friend. They travel 263 miles from Dutch Valley, Tennessee, where she was born and raised. She started making the trip twice a year when she was 63 years old, she turns 96 years old next Friday, June 25th. (There is often a “Happy Birthday Lillian” sign at the Parking Lot entrance every June). Lillian Young was born in 1925.

Lillian started working the show to help her sister, Lula Fox and brother, Tom Kerr. Tom started the show in 1968 with the help of his sister Lula Fox and her husband Robert Fox. Lillian was the baby of 9 children in her family and is now the only living child. Tom passed in 2019. Fox Trott Road was named after Lula Fox and Rosemary Lane was named after Tom Kerr’s second wife. Jan Schnell, Rosemary’s daughter, continues the Friendship Flea Market tradition today.

Lillian has been a working woman for her entire life. She has worked at a Hosiery Mill in Clinton, Tennessee hanging stockings for 12 years, she worked at J. L. Hudson Department store in Detroit, Michigan in 1955 for a short time while her husband had work there and her son was at school. They went back to her hometown of Dutch Hollow afterwards. She also worked in the meat department of a grocery store for 21 years.

When she’s not working the Friendship Flea Market, she’s exercising 3 times a week, doing Silver Sneakers twice a week and Water Exercise once a week. She also knits and sells antiques at local county fairs and events with many winning Ribbons given.

Lillian is a Friendship Flea Market staple and has become quite famous in Eagle Country.