Community Swap Meet Planned at Elks Lodge

By Misty Cryer

Carlsbad Elks Lodge No. 1558 is hosting an inaugural event that is open to the public. The event, “If It Has Wheels” Swap Meet, will be held at the Carlsbad Elks Lodge, 1558 Elks Drive, on April 25 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This buy, sell, or trade event will feature anything on wheels, related parts, and tools for projects, and accessories, including collectibles. Food will be available, and vendor spots are currently available.

The idea for this event began small when Carlsbad Elks Riders aimed to help a woman whose husband had passed away. “He had a lot of Harley stuff,” said Tracy Dearing, coordinator of the event. He said it was suggested that they have a multi-family yard sale at the lodge. It evolved from there when it was decided to open it up to non-members of the lodge and invite the community.

Vendor spaces will be set up in the pool area with vehicles displayed in the parking lot, said Dearing. Spaces will be $15 for a 10x10 square, $25 for a 10x20 square, and $15 per vehicle. Entry fees will be $5 per person, he said. He recommended that vendors bring their own tables, blankets, or tarps, whatever is needed for the items they are bringing.

“If it rolls…it belongs,” the flyer for the event states. Cars, trucks, motorcycles, bikes, ATVs, and UTVs, along with parts, tools, gear, clothing, and collectibles, are expected. To arrange for vendor space at the event, call 575-499-6409.

During the event, food will be available for purchase. “We’re going to allow non-members,” said Dearing. He said someone will be cooking on the griddle. Pancakes and sausage are planned, and he said they are considering serving lunch as well, which will probably consist of burgers and hot dogs.

“A lot of people think we’re a bar that does charitable work,” said Dearing. While the lodge does provide socialization opportunities for members, he said, the Elks is actually a fraternal, charitable organization.

The major charitable endeavors of the Carlsbad Elks Lodge were discussed with Angela Cary, who said the lodge generally supports veterans’ charities. She said they are supporting the T or C Veterans’ Home, building a greenhouse for the residents there. They also support the Elks’ National Foundation and help with cerebral palsy research and care.

“Come up and visit and see what the Elks is all about,” said Dearing. He said he hopes to have someone available to explain the process of becoming a member. Basically, he explained, to become a member, a person must be sponsored by an Elk; it takes a couple of months, and the annual membership fee is $235.

The Elks Riders of Carlsbad Elks Lodge was formed about a year ago, said Dearing. “Once they are an Elk, they can become a rider,” he said.

For members, Dearing said, at the lodge they have steak night on Friday night; burgers, brats, and karaoke on Thursday nights; and chicken fried steak or chicken fried chicken on Tuesday nights; ribeye steaks on Stag Night—the first Wednesday of the month—and filets for Ladies Night—the third Wednesday of the month.

Dearing said a non-member can be a guest of a member three times. When considering a fourth time, he said, it is time to become a member.

For more information about Carlsbad Elks Lodge No. 1558, visit the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/CarlsbadElks1558.