July 2024. 

National Summer Arms Show to feature firearms, historical pieces

Now in its 53nd year, the National Summer Arms Show, returns July 27-28 to the KCI Expo Center in Kansas City.

Sponsored by the Missouri Valley Arms Collectors Association, a National Rifle Association affiliate, the show will feature a variety of both modern and historical firearms on display and available for purchase. Tables are still available for vendors; to reserve one, call 816-873-1951.

For more information about this and other events, visit www.mvaca.org.

July 2024. 

Show will feature antique farm vehicles, tools in action

For a glimpse at old-fashioned farm power, plan to attend the 71st annual show of the Tri-State Antique Engine and Threshers Association, July 25-27 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 saw mill, 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.

July 2024. 

Wheat Festival is a celebration of community

The 124th annual Wheat Festival in Wellington, will feature something for every summer funseeker.

Taking place July 9-13 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.

April 2024… 

Time for a road trip to Bureau County

This Father’s Day, treat dad to a real shopping experience – quite possibly the largest in the state – at More in Bureau County (formerly More on 34), June 14-15.

The countywide garage sale will take place over a 100-mile stretch on U.S. Route 34 between Galesburg and Aurora in Bureau County. Stop and shop in these communities: LaMoille, Dover, Princeton, Wyanet, Sheffield, Neponset, and the Bureau County Fairgrounds. Sellers make their own hours, though most are open between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

For a list of sales, visit the More on 34 Facebook page.

Feel the power at Red Power Roundup

The 35th Annual Red Power Roundup will display the full power of cars, trucks, tractors, and more, June 20-23 on the Clay County Fairgrounds in Spencer.

In addition, model train enthusiasts will want to stop by the model train depot; a barn quilt show, crafts classes, and exhibitor displays will round out the three days of fun.

For more information, visit www.rpru2024.com.

June 2024. 

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 8.

The mall boasts 15,000 square feet with more than 100 dealer booths selling everything from antiques to vintage item 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.

June 2024. 

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 1.

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.

June 2024. 

Merchant Square packs June with variety of events

Merchant Square Antique Marketplace in Independence is keeping its calendar full this month with events you won’t want to miss.

June kicks off with a red, white, and blue market pop-up June 1-2, a warmup to the Fourth of July holiday, featuring patriotic Americana and other vintage treasures. A classic car show will start off the fun on June 1. And you can hunt for even more patriotic slices of life from yesteryear at Merchant Square’s Americana vintage market, June 6-9.

If those deals aren’t enough, how about storewide bargains? Merchant Square will welcome the middle of June with a storewide sale June 14-16. Any and all booklovers are welcome to the store on June 22 for a local authors meet-and-greet, during which you can meet the movers and shakers of Independence’s literary scene and browse their published works.
Finally, the month will conclude with a vintage clothing pop-up. Shop for some funky threads and wear your love of vintage goods on your sleeve.

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.

June 2024. 

Kick it old school with this upcoming
vintage market

The Old School Vintage Market returns to South Central Kansas, with the outdoor market being offered in Iuka on June 8. The market will include boutique offerings, handmade crafts, antique furniture, candles, home décor, and even specialty food items, from freeze-dried candies to breads to pickles.

Luke and Caitlin Laha, the founders of the annual event, describe themselves as having “a passion for (the) old, dingy, unique, and homemade. They bought an 1880 farmhouse a few years ago, restoring it and combining its original features with “modern farmhouse fare.”

“We enjoy treasure hunting for items that fit the era of the house while repurposing things to be functional for our family,” their website reads.

For more information, visit www.oldschoolvintagemarket.com.

May 2024. 

Find your next treasure at Brownville Spring Flea Market

Now in its 66th year, the Brownville Spring Flea Market will delight a new generation of antique enthusiasts when it returns to town May 25-27, at Main Street and the Historic Depot in Brownville.

Up for grabs will be antiques, collectibles, crafts, and hand-made art from more than 250 vendors. Admission and parking are free, and there are plenty of nearby motels and campgrounds if you want to make an entire weekend of your visit.

The event is sponsored by the Brownville Historical Society. For more information, call 402-825-6001 or visit www.brownvillehistoricalsociety.com.