Make the drive to Iowa for the Southern Iowa Junk Journey

by Corbin Crable | May 29, 2025 | Iowa, 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)

Happy birthday to Shawnee Antique Mall

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

June 2025

Happy birthday to Shawnee Antique Mall

Shawnee Antique Mall in Shawnee is once again celebrating its birthday by giving gifts to its own customers – in the form of summer sales throughout the entire store on June 14.

The mall boasts 15,000 square feet with more than 100 dealer booths selling everything from antiques to vintage items to glassware and collectibles. Shawnee Antique Mall’s annual birthday sale event is always a big draw for collectors from around the area – and if you’re planning to visit from out of state, the mall offers convenient RV parking, too.

Shawnee Antique Mall is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Call them at 913-499-7688 or visit them on Facebook.

Shawnee Antique Mall

You don’t need to bring gifts to Shawnee Antique Mall’s annual birthday sale and open house on June 14, but you can definitely shop for them. (Image courtesy of Facebook)

KC Regional Quilt Festival celebrates 10 years

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

June 2025

KC Regional Quilt Festival celebrates 10 years

Celebrating its 10th year in 2025, the Kansas City Regional Quilt Festival returns to the Overland Park Convention Center, June 11-14.

The event will feature judged entries, workshops and classes, a variety of quilts on display, and vendors, allowing quilters to stock up on supplies. A new feature this year will be “Spotlight Quilters” from the organization’s regional guild; also new: The 10^th Anniversary Showcase Collection and a treasured Heritage Quilt from Frontier Trails Museum.

For more information, including admission information and hours, visit facebook.com/kcrqf.

Kansas City Regional Quilt Festival

Enjoy stunning craftsmanship along with a splash of color at the Kansas City Regional Quilt Festival, June 11-14 in Overland Park, KS. The event celebrates its 10th year in 2025. (Image courtesy of Facebook)

Get ready for a berry good time at the Vaile Mansion Strawberry Festival

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

June 2025

Get ready for a berry good time at the Vaile Mansion Strawberry Festival

Independence’s Vaile Mansion will be the site of summer fun when the mansion hosts its annual Strawberry Festival on June 7.

Shop for crafts and antiques from vendors on site, listen to live musical entertainment, and take your kids by the festival’s children’s corner. Of course, the highlight of the event – plentiful baskets of strawberries, strawberry shortcake and strawberry ice cream – will allow visitors to savor the sweetest tastes of summer.

Admission to the festival is free, and the festival runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call Vaile Mansion at 816-325-7430 or visit www.vailemansion.org.

Get ready to dig into some juicy strawberry pie at the annual Vaile Mansion Strawberry Festival. (Image courtesy of recipessimple.com)

Merchant Square packs the June calendar with variety of events

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

June 2025

Merchant Square packs the June calendar with variety of events

Merchant Square Antique Marketplace in Independence is keeping its calendar full this month.

June kicks off with a red, white, and blue market pop-up June 1-30, a warmup to the Fourth of July holiday, featuring patriotic Americana and other vintage treasures. A classic car show will rev up the fun on June 7. And discover if those hand-me-downs are worth anything with an appraisal fair on June 14. A Father’s Day giveaway will follow on June 15.

If those deals aren’t enough, how about storewide bargains? Merchant Square will welcome the middle of June with a storewide sale June 20-22.
As always, come in for Senior Tuesday every Tuesday; also, military service members receive 10% off anytime.

While you’re at Merchant Square, don’t forget to visit the store’s most recent addition, the American Way Market Café, featuring BBQ, locally grown produce, locally raised meats and dairy, and bread baked daily in house.

For more information, call 480-792-1919 or visit www.merchantsquarevintage.com.

Batter up! Merchant Square’s full list for the month of June is a home-run for lovers of antiques, vintage, and even sports collectibles. (Image courtesy of Facebook)

Find your cheer at What Cheer Flea Market

by Corbin Crable | Apr 28, 2025 | Mid-American

May 2025

Find your cheer at What Cheer Flea Market

Hailed as “one of the don’t miss flea markets in the Midwest,” the What Cheer Flea Market returns to the What Cheer Fairgrounds, May 1-4.

Fabulous flea finds at the market include antiques, military memorabilia, collectibles, old tools, primitives, postcards, glassware, stamps, coins, jewelry, furniture, baseball cards, and more.

The next flea market will run July 31-Aug. 3. For more information, call 319-404-4066 or visit www.whatcheerfleamarket.com

What Cheer Flea Market

The What Cheer Flea Market always features the colorful, fun, and fanciful. (Photo courtesy of Pinterest)