WESSON – The turtle was one of the spoils of the annual WessonFlea Market, and 2-and-a-half year old Hayden Alexander decided ona fitting name: “Turtle.”

For Hayden, and countless other children in Wesson on a clearand chilly October morning, the flea market represented a lot ofthings: food, fun, toys and big crowds.

“There might be a million people here, but I don’t know,” saidTristan James, 5, of Byram. “It’s a lotta lotta people.”

The 38th annual flea market, which took place Saturday indowntown Wesson, had more vendor booths reserved and more visitorsthan any other year so far, Wesson Volunteer Fire Departmentofficials said. The proceeds of the flea market go to the firedepartment, which is a non-profit organization.

Tristan and his father, Zachary James, had just finished lookingat the puppies and were going in search of his first funnelcake.

“My daddy said a fummel cake is like eating a crunchy pancakewith sugar on top,” Tristan said.

Four-year-old Lilly Gray of Brookhaven already had her dad,Bruce Gray, carrying some of her haul. She and her sister Rivers,8, picked up a full princess kit, complete with a shiny tiara andshoes. Lilly didn’t hesitate to identify her favorite part of theday, though her big sister had other ideas.

“The carnival,” Lilly said, to which Rivers replied, “What aboutthe hamsters, Lilly?”

“No,” Lilly firmly informed her sister, which was fine withRivers, since the family was on their way to find a new puppy.

And there were drawings as well, for those who wanted to trytheir luck at a dollar a ticket, or three for $5. A shotgun hadbeen donated for the drawing, and three gregarious volunteerfirefighters braved the cold to sell the tickets to passers-by.

“Mama wants a blanket, but I’m going to be a fireman,” WesleyShelton, 7, of Hammond, La., as his mother bought a ticket for aquilt that was donated.

And if Jalen Porter, 6, were to win the gun, it might do thefuture hunter just right. He wasn’t giving up much, but he didagree with his father Patrick Porter of Brookhaven that he waslooking for “deer paraphernalia.” He said there was something elsethat he had enjoyed throughout the day, however.

“The food!” he said.

And there was certainly food on hand, and all locally made andgrown – everything from fresh produce to jams and jellies, chickenon a stick, sausage dogs, burgers off the grill, and the funnelcakes that Tristan James was tasting for the first time. There werehomemade brownies and slices of pound cake and other dessertsavailable at the food tents, too.

But of course, there weren’t just children out to enjoy the day.When flea market organizer Kenneth Furr said people come from allaround, he wasn’t joking.

“We’re from Michigan,” said Susan Dentel, who stood looking atrubber band guns with her husband Quentin. “He used to be stationedin Biloxi, and we make the trip down twice a year. We have a dearfriend here.”

Some people weren’t there so much to shop for crafts or animals.Some people were just there to enjoy the weather though, accordingto 5-year-old Jared Davis of Crystal Springs.

“I already have a dog,” he said. “But Mom made me wear my newcoat. I guess it’s OK.”