Browse more than 300 booths at Bella Rustina

by Corbin Crable | Jun 30, 2025 | Arkansas, Mid-American

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.

Bella Rustina

Bring your summer vibes to Bella Rustina, July 12-14 at the Conway Expo Center in Conway, AR. There you’ll find cool deals on vintage and vintage-inspired items. (Image courtesy of Facebook)

Red Wing annual show and sale brings collectors together

by Corbin Crable | Jun 30, 2025 | Mid-American, Minnesota

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.

Red Wing Collectors Annual Crockfest Convention

The Red Wing Collectors Society Inc.’s annual show and sale on July 12 occurs during its 48th Annual Crockfest Convention in Red Wing, MN. Stoneware, pottery and antiques will be up for grabs. (Image courtesy of Facebook)

Elsie Bell’s looking forward to Sidewalk Sale

by Corbin Crable | Jun 30, 2025 | Mid-American, Missouri

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

Don't miss Elsie Bell's Sidewalk Sale!

Wheat Festival is a celebration of community

by Corbin Crable | Jun 30, 2025 | Kansas, Mid-American

July 2025

Wheat Festival is a celebration of community

The 125TH annual Wheat Festival in Wellington, will feature something for every summer funseeker.

Taking place July 8-12 in downtown Wellington, the festival is jam-packed with family-friendly activities, including an art exhibit, art contest, children’s storytime and crafts, movie-themed sidewalk chalking, watermelon feed, horseshoe tournament, carnival rides, lip sync contest, hot dog eating contest, cookie jar auction, cow chip throw, and bed races.

According to the state’s tourism website, the event has been a tradition in the state since 1900, when Sumner County celebrated a bumper wheat harvest that earned Wellington the title of “Wheat Capital of the World.” The festival remains a celebration of community and agriculture.

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/kswheatfestival.

Kansas Wheat Festival

Grab the family and head out to Wellington, KS, for its 125th Kansas Wheat Festival from July 8-12, featuring high-flying fun. Image courtesy of Facebook

Show will feature antique farm vehicles, tools in action

by Corbin Crable | Jun 30, 2025 | Kansas, Mid-American

July 2025

Show will feature antique farm vehicles, tools in action

For a glimpse of old-fashioned farm power, plan to attend the 72nd annual show of the Tri-State Antique Engine and
Threshers Association, July 31-Aug. 2 in Bird City.

Attendees will be able to marvel at more than a dozen operating steam engines and gas engines, as well as demonstrations of wheat binding and threshing; a sawmill, tractor pull, kids activities, historic buildings, quilts, a printing press, and chuck wagon breakfast round out the activities. Collectors may bring their items to display. Those traveling with an RV may park it on the grounds, which offers a shower house.

For more information, call 785-734-2291, visit www.threshershow.org or e-mail thresherassociation@gmail.com.

Tri-State Engine and Threshers

The Tri-State Engine and Threshers Association will host its 72nd annual show in late July and early August in Bird City, KS. On display and performing demonstrations will be a variety of antique farm equipment, steam engines, and tools, among other devices. (Image courtesy of Facebook)

Make the drive to Iowa for the Southern Iowa Junk Journey

by Corbin Crable | May 29, 2025 | Mid-American

June 2025

Make the drive to Iowa for the Southern Iowa Junk Journey

It’s summer, and you know what that means – road trips!

Gather the family, start the car, and roll down the windows for some cool breeze as you head to Southern Iowa for the Southern Iowa Junk Journey, June 13-15.

Since the annual event falls on Father’s Day, you’ll be able to treat Dad to a bevy of vintage treasures from across a variety of counties – Appanoose, Lucas, Wayne, and Monroe.

The junk journey takes place twice each year; the next event is slated for the fall months. For more information, including a list of participating vendors, search ‘Southern Iowa Junk Journey’ on Facebook.

Southern Iowa Junk Journey

Clean out some storage space for a few new treasures — the twice-annual Southern Iowa Junk Journey returns, June 13-15. (Image courtesy of Facebook)