The Advocate and Democrat

If you hear screams and laughter coming from the north end of the Sweetwater Flea Market at Interstate 75, it might not be somebody overly excited by the bargain they found.

It could be excited children, their parents and their grandparents going down the slides at the Jump’n Shack.

The Jump’n Shack is a large inflatable playground area in the north end of the 150,000-square foot flea market.

It is owned and operated by the husband and wife team of Scott and Tabatha Baines of Athens.

Tabatha Baines is the first cousin of Angela McNabb, manager of the flea market.

McNabb said the addition of the Jump’n Shack has been great for the flea market because it gives children something to do while their parents browse the hundreds of booths in the flea market.

But the Baines said it’s not just the children who are having fun.

They have a picture of an 88-year-old grandmother going down the slide.

McNabb and the Baines family said church groups and others have visited the Jump’n Shack.

They think the central location will serve the Jump’n Shack well with people looking for nearby entertainment.

“A lot of people aren’t going on vacation because of gas prices,” Tabatha Baines said.

The Jump’n Shack is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Parents jump for free and the Jump’n Shack hosts birthday parties on the weekends as the area is divided into separate rooms that can be used for a party.

Scott Baines said it only takes about 15 minutes to put air in the huge inflatables, some of which stretch nearly to the ceiling.

For more information, call (423) 507-4829.

tommy.millsaps@advocateand democrat | 337-7101

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