May 2023 … 

Enchanted Frog to Host Spring Flea Market

As spring prepares to give way to the summer season, Enchanted Frog Antiques in Lathrop will once again host its annual Spring “Free Flea” Market in the sunshine, May 27.

Those shoppers who come hungry can grab a BBQ lunch from Ray-Ray’s BBQ; big names in vintage goods such as Norwex, Pampered Chef, Tupperware and 31 Gifts will be available to buy as well. The flea market will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

In addition to the spring flea market, swing by the store for its Lucky $7 days, when it offers $7 off any item sold for $25 or more (May 12-14 and May 28-29); come back and find the perfect gift for Mom at the annual Mother’s Day: Birds, Bees and Butterflies sale on May 14.

For more information, call Enchanted Frog at 816-740-6933.

May 2023 … 

Create memories for Mom with classes at Tammi Sue’s

A trio of upcoming classes at Tammi Sue’s Upcycle Mercantile in Buckner will teach you how to make the perfect Mother’s Day gift for your mother or another special mom in your life.

The fun begins on Saturday, May 6, with a course on how to make your own broken china jewelry. Attendees will learn how to cut, grind and assemble a necklace or bracelet using their own family china – stay for the tea party, too. The class is limited to 15 participants and costs $35.

The fun continues on Thursday, May 11, with a Mother’s Day candle making class. Like the course on china, the candle making course is limited to 15 attendees; it costs $20. Finally, come create your own charcuterie board complete with fresh flowers and food on Friday, May 12. Limited to 15 people, the class costs $45. Register at www.tammisues.com.

In addition to selling items both old, new and upcycled, Tammi Sue’s also creates signs, tumblers, and spirit wear like customized t-shirts and sweatshirts for school teams and organizations. For more information, visit the store’s website or e-mail tskrones@gmail.com.

May 2023 … 

Chingawassa Days celebrates a quarter-century of entertainment

Returning for its 25th year, the family festival Chingawassa Days brings new features with the same familiar fun to Marion, June 2-4.
The weekend’s activities include a horseshoe tournament, color run, scavenger hunt, rock wall, tractor pull, wiener dog races, watermelon feed, and ice cream social. New events will also be on the menu, according to Adam Heerey, one of the organizers, including professionally sanctioned cornhole and disc golf tournaments; in addition, the Kansas City BBQ Society will host its state championship on-site.

Heerey says he remembers attending Chingawassa Days as a youngster, and he’s happy to help put the fun weekend together for both familiar faces and visitors.

“I went to Chingawassa Days in high school, and I enjoyed the mix of both local events and acts as well as more well-known acts when they came in,” Heerey recalls. “We support local events and people while giving a taste of what else is out there.”

Heerey says that music lovers won’t want to miss out on the fun. Southern Accents, a Tom Petty Tribute Band, will take the stage on the evening of Friday, June 2; country music artist Nate Smith will perform his #1 hit “Whiskey On You” and others on Saturday, June 3, with Tyler Braden opening for him.

Finally, the festival is a great way to showcase the community of Marion to visitors, Heerey adds.

“I want local businesses to feel their support is reciprocated, and that the community feels like they were brought together for the weekend,” he says. “I’d like everyone to leave with a sense that it was a fun place for their family, kids and friends.”

Buttons are available for purchase for $25 at www.chingawassadays.com. The buttons allow the wearer free admission into the ice cream social and watermelon feed, a free BBQ dinner, entry to all concerts, and access to all events throughout the festival. 

May 2023 … 

Captain Cook’s has fresh spring finds

Get outdoors and breathe in the sweet spring air at Captain Cook’s Treasure Chest in Louisburg at its Spring Flea Market, May 6, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

As always, Captain Cook’s will offer fabulous deals on antiques, yard art, vintage collectibles, handmade items, and architectural salvage. If you’re in the mood for lunch, the Snack Shack will be serving pulled pork sandwiches and coleslaw from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; the store itself is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and can be reached at 913-837-2757.

April 2023 … 

Bella Rustina back in Arkansas

Bella Rustina Vintage Market is returning to Conway just in time for spring, with a show April 21-23 at the Conway Expo Center.
Shoppers are invited to come marvel at more than 300 booths, stuffed with vintage, vintage-inspired and handmade items brought in from sellers from multiple states.

Those vendors who wish to participate and sell their wares can submit an application on Bella Rustina’s website at www.bellarustina.com.

Admission for early buyers on April 21 is $10, while regular admission on April 22-23 is $5. Parking is free as well.
The event is hosted by Ashley’s Finds LLC. For more information, call 501-230-5728.

April 2023 … 

Pay up for paper goods at the annual Iowa City paper show

Collectors of paper and ephemera will descend on the annual Iowa City Postcard, Stamp and Paper Show on April 7 and 8 at the Johnson County 4-H Fairgrounds in Iowa City. The show is back after a successful 2022 event.
Hours for the show on April 7 are 11-6 and on Saturday, 9-3.

Many of the dealers at this show, according to organizers, do not appear at other Midwest shows, which makes their offerings extra special.

Vendors from within the state and new vendors from other states will be selling their wares at this year’s event. Past shows have included Kevin Lunn of Jewell, IA, as a popular vendor of American stamps and coins.

The show is free and open to the public, and free parking is available on site. For more information, contact the show’s new promoter, Jerry Goings, at 417-437-6629 or jerry@unclejerryspostcards.com.

April 2023 … 

Mennonite Relief Sale to include quilt show, plenty of food

An annual fundraiser to support the state’s Mennonite Central Committee is coming back to the Kansas State Fairgrounds in Hutchinson, April 14-15.
The Mennonite Relief Sale will feature booths of authentic crafts made by members of the Mennonite community, auctions, activities like mini-golf, a 5K run, a quilt show, and, of course, lots of food, like burgers, pork tenderloins, kettle corn, hot dogs, New Years cookies, and pie a la mode.

If that isn’t enough to satisfy your hunger, the event is bringing back “Feeding the Multitude,” twice-daily servings of verenike (dumplings similar to pierogi with both savory and sweet fillings), sausage, borscht, and bohne berrogi (a bean-filled dough bun topped with sweet cream sauce). Also, enjoy a pancake breakfast Saturday morning before all the day’s fun begins.

For more information, visit kansas.mccsale.org.

April 2023 … 

Sales welcome spring season at Paramount

Paramount’s three antique stores around the Wichita area will host sales days in both April and May to herald spring’s arrival.
Paramount East Antique Mall (316-775-3999) in Augusta will host its sale days on April 8 and May 13. Paramount Antique Mall (316-772-0500) in Wichita will welcome shoppers to its sale April 15 and May 20, while Wichita’s Paramount Marketplace

(316-260-6316) will help its guests save big on April 22 and May 27.
All stores specialize in vintage goods and antiques. Items range from glassware to coins and jewelry to pottery and china. The three locations boast a combined 96,000 square feet and more than 350 vendors.

For more information, visit paramountantiquemall.com.

April 2023 … 

Bates City Antiques to host Customer Appreciation Day

Local businesses are the lifeblood of any smaller town, and Bates City Antiques in Bates City would like to say ‘thanks’ to its loyal shoppers with a Customer Appreciation Day on April 15.

The day will include plenty of extras to bring shoppers in, including drawings, door prizes, and refreshments. But the star of the show will be the deals on antiques, vintage items and collectibles throughout the store – with a 20% discount throughout the mall.

Before you head out for the big day, check out Bates City’s website first for a peek into its vast array of inventory, including a special section dedicated to unique finds, such as a Mobil tire stand and a 19th-century yarn winder.
For more information, visit www.batescityantiques.com.