August 2025

Free Fair back in Lamar

Missouri’s largest free fair will offer several days of entertainment when it descends on downtown Lamar, Aug. 16-23.
Highlights of the fair will include the Rotary Fair Queen Pageant, as well as a carnival, youth livestock show, art show, food vendors, parades, and blue-ribbon contests.

The fair will take place in the town’s Constitution Square in downtown Lamar.

For more information, call 417-850-2033 or visit www.bartoncounty.com/fair.

September 2025

Bella Rustina back again for Fall Fun

Conway will once again host the Bella Rustina Modern Vintage Market, Sept. 5-7 inside the Conway Expo Center.

More than 300 booths will be set up inside the venue, selling both vintage and vintage-inspired items, as well as handmade treasures. Multiple food trucks will also be on site to feed hungry shoppers. Admission is $10 for the early buying day on Friday, Sept. 5, and it’s $10 for Saturday, Sept. 6, and $5 for Sunday, Sept. 7.

For more information, visit www.bellarustina.com.

July 2025

Browse more than 300 booths at Bella Rustina

Conway will once again host the Bella Rustina Modern Vintage Market, July 11-13 inside the Conway Expo Center.

More than 300 booths will be set up inside the venue, selling both vintage and vintage-inspired items, as well as handmade treasures. Multiple food trucks will also be on site to feed hungry shoppers. Admission is $10 for the early buying day on Friday, July 11, and it’s $10 for Saturday, July 12, and $5 for Sunday, July 13.

For more information, visit www.bellarustina.com.

July 2025

Red Wing annual show and sale brings collectors together

Take your Red Wing pottery collection to the next level by attending the Red Wing Collectors Society Inc.’s annual show and sale at the organization’s 2025 Crockfest Convention. A wide variety of Red Wing stoneware, pottery and antiques will be available to buy during the convention, at which attendees will be able to enjoy auctions, live music and BBQ. The convention takes place July 10-12, while the show and sale take place on July 12. All events take place at the River Bluff Education Center in Red Wing. This year is the convention’s 48th.

For more information, call 651-388-4004 or visit www.redwingcollectors.org.

July 2025

Elsie Bell’s looking forward to Sidewalk Sale

To celebrate the beginning of its eighth year in Independence, Elsie Bell’s Antique Mall will have its second Sidewalk Sale of the year from 9 am to 2 pm on Saturday, July 26, in the front parking lot. This popular sale allows shoppers to reap the benefits of dealers who are cleaning out their booths, closets, garages and storage units in order to make space for holiday items.

“One of the things our store is famous for is embracing the holidays,” said Deb Miles, owner of the shop and granddaughter of the original Elsie Bell. “It’s a passion of mine. I collect vintage Halloween and Christmas items all year long so, by fall, the back room is bursting at the seams. We put out Halloween on Aug. 1 and Christmas on Nov. 1 — sooner, if we can find the space!”

Elsie Bell’s is located at 1101 S. Crysler Ave. in Independence, MO, at the crossroads of Crysler and 23rd streets. Store hours are 10 am to 5 pm Monday through Saturday; 12 noon to 5 pm on Sunday. Two exceptions are July 4 (closed) and the day of the Sidewalk Sale, July 26, when the store will open at 9 am to align with the hours of the Sidewalk Sale.

For further information on the sale or on Elsie Bell’s, call 816-832-8711.

– Submitted by Deb Miles