September 2025

Vintage Market Days is back

When Vintage Market Days comes to town, you can bet that fall will mean much more than just colorful foliage. It’s the season for good deals, too.

Vintage Market Days will present “Forever Fall” from Sept. 26-28 at the American Royal in Kansas City. The event will feature shopping for every type of taste, from vintage and vintage-inspired to architectural salvage, from repurposed finds to jewelry and clothing.

Grab a bite while you shop at one of the food trucks on site, and boogie to live music as well.

For more information, visit www.vintagemarketdays.com.

September 2025

Grab your friends and come to the Friends of Shawnee Town Craft and Fall Festival

More than 130 vendors will converge on Shawnee Town 1929 for its annual Craft and Fall Festival on Sept. 20.

Dozens of vendors will be on hand selling home décor, unique gifts and holiday presents for that hard-to-buy-for family member or friend on your gift list; enjoy live music and food while strolling the grounds, too. Free kids activities will keep your little ones entertained as well.

While you’re attending the fair, enjoy stepping back in time in Shawnee Town, an historic farming town from the 1920s and see for yourself what life was like a century ago.

For more information, call 913-248-2360 or visit www.shawneetown.org

Sept 2025

Hit the road to find plenty of bargains
throughout the state

The 26th year of Bargains Galore on Highway 64 will take bargain hunters from Fort Smith to Beebe, Aug. 7-9.

Sellers setting up shop at stops along the highway throughout Central Arkansas will be selling a variety of gently used items, including clothing, furniture, antiques, crafts and collectibles. Stop for a bite and a rest at a number of food trucks and live music locations throughout.

For more information, e-mail bgaloreon64@gmail.com or visit the event’s Facebook page (“Bargains Galore on 64 – 2025”) for a map.

August 2025

Sellers and buyers ready to descend on tiny town for big flea market

It’s flea market time in the tiny town of Sparks, which boasts a population of only nine, according to the website for the Sparks Antiques and Collectibles Flea Market.

Its population soars to more than 75,000 for the flea market.This year, the fall show is set for Aug. 28-Aug. 31. The market will include more than 500 vendors selling antiques, vintage finds, collectibles, toys, furniture, home décor, and more. The town is located about 30 miles west of St. Joseph, MO.

For more information, including info on lodging and parking, visit www.sparksantiquesandcollectibles.com.

August 2025

All aboard! (for the Mid-America Train
and Toy Show)

Whether you’re a serious collector or simply a kid at heart, don’t miss out on the Mid-America Train and Toy Show, Aug. 3 at the KCI Expo Center in Kansas City, MO.

Groups and organizations dedicated to collecting model trains and related items will set up booths full of information, and more than 200 vendors will be on hand, buying and selling trains and toys. There also will be free train movies to enjoy, door prizes and concessions for sale. Parking is complimentary. Admission cost is $5 for adults; children 12 and younger are free.

For more information, visit www.midamericatrainandtoyshow.com.

August 2025

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