Lindsay’s first Punk Rock Flea Market rocks the Armoury in early December

Along with being one of the most recognizable buildings on Kent Street, the Victoria Park Armoury has served as a hub of the Lindsay punk scene throughout the years, giving local bands (and even Teenage Head) a place to play and local punk rockers a place to gather. The Armoury will continue this tradition on Dec. 7 as the hallowed halls host Lindsay’s first-ever Punk Rock Flea Market.

For those yet to be initiated, Punk Rock Flea Markets are fully DIY community-driven events that combine two of the greatest joys of the modern age: hearing live music from local bands and supporting local artisans. The first Punk Rock Flea Market took place in Mexico City in the early 1980s and provided the blueprint for the many markets to follow.

PRFMs have been popping up across Canada since the early 2000s, gaining in frequency during the 2010s, and have enjoyed a resurgence in recent years following the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions.

These events are organized by people who pour hours of work and heart into making them happen, like Brenton Hayward, who started running Peterborough’s Punk Rock Flea Market in 2024 and is spearheading Lindsay’s first PRFM this year.

“I wanted to be able to bring all the things I love together: small businesses, artists, crafts, musicians. The freaks, the geeks, the weirdos, the punks, the metalheads; all the people who already support each other and deserve a bigger, better scene to exist in,” Hayward said of the inspiration behind putting together these events.

Hayward grew up in the city and has fond memories of going to hardcore shows at the Armoury as a teenager. “I love Lindsay, and I really miss the aspect of how nurtured the artistic community was when I was a teen,” Brenton said. “There was a group of dozens of like-minded idiots who got to get together often for the love of the scene. I really feel that having a thriving, connected, social music scene in Lindsay again is key to seeing a healthy little creative revival.”

Hailing from Kawartha Lakes and the surrounding area, the vendors and musicians are all prime examples of this creative revival, from Alternative Soul Creations’ imaginatively designed bags to Two Magpies’ whimsical crochet items to Stones N Bones’ unique art pieces.

“It was a lot of local outreach. Getting boots on the ground and feelers out to see what made the community unique and how we could add to that,” Hayward said. “I’m very proud to showcase any and all worthy local talent. We’re always looking to add to that star-studded lineup. So if you make something unique or think your business rocks, drop us a line.”

The vitality of the local punk scene is also on full display with a lineup that boasts some of the most exciting punk bands in the area right now, including Mis-Hap, The Sleeves, Burning Bridges, Live With It, and Wayne Kennedy.

The scene here “is truly Canadian, an underestimated slumbering giant,” said Hayward. “Everyone always wants to talk about Toronto and Montreal – and don’t get me wrong, those cities are great – but what we lack per capita, we more than make up for in grit and (we) go hard,” Hayward said. “We need more spaces beyond the dive bar to make the scene more accessible to all people. Any band that wants to be a part of that is welcome.”

Accessibility and showing up as a community for those who need it most are two of the core tenets of punk, values that are close to Hayward. PRFM Lindsay has partnered with Kawartha Lakes Food Source to help combat food insecurity and will be accepting donations of non-perishable food items between Noon and 9 p.m., the operating hours of the market.

Among the most-needed items sought by Kawartha Lakes Food Source are canned pasta, Kraft Dinner, peanut butter, canned fruit and meat, crackers, and cookies.

With more than six hours of music, dozens of local vendors, a food drive, and an appearance by Grubs the mascot, PRFM Lindsay is the best place to kick off the winter season and connect with the community.

“Every Punk Rock Flea Market is like all your favourite bands deciding to play a Christmas morning show in your living room after getting your parents back together,” said Hayward. “It’s impossible to be excited for just one part.”

Punk Rock Flea Market Lindsay will take place at Victoria Park Armoury on Dec. 7 from Noon  to 9 p.m. Admission is free. Follow them on Instagram at @prfmlnz.