Vinyl rules at the Annual Somerville Rock and Roll Yard Sale, hitting Union Square this Sunday. ~ Photo by Annie Messier

By Mariam Sharia

Somerville’s music aficionados, bargain hunters and DIY enthusiasts are gearing up for the year’s largest outdoor record extravaganza.

The Annual Somerville Rock and Roll Yard Sale opens shop this Sunday, August 21. The open-air-market is free and runs from 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. in Somerville’s Union Square and offers crafts, record collections, and music equipment from 50 local vendors.

Now in it’s fourth year, the music-focused market marks the opening of Somerville Grooves, the city’s newest record shop. The event is sponsored by the Somerville Arts Council and hosted by Chris and Jennifer Daltry of What Cheer Antiques.

Chris Daltry said booths were a hot commodity this year, noting the thousand attendees at last year’s event, as well as his high expectations for this year.

“It’s a total DIY effort, people promote themselves” said Daltry, noting that vendor space sold out in a record 24 hours.

The Daltrys first hosted a record sale about eight years ago for a college radio station, but instead of the traditional hotel lobby and under-ground production, this event boasted DJ’s, beer and bands.

Chris said the new atmosphere helped “create a younger scene for record collecting” which they have followed to street fairs, bars and venues before bringing this scene to Somerville.

Although the couple has had bands play previous events, the vendors themselves will be the ones spinning records for the crowds on Sunday.

“I’ve decided to keep things simpler and focus on the vendors,” said Chris. “They are what makes the event happen. The music is more of a background and having vinyl spinning all day creates an atmosphere and a vibe that’s nice.”

As for the remainder of the goodies available, Chris promised that vendors would put on a solid show.

“It’s just really good people selling really good stuff they make.”