Flock to the farm for a fall craft fair

by Patti Klinge | Aug 28, 2023 | Mid-American

September 2023 …

Flock to the farm for a fall craft fair

The Shepherd of the Hills Historic Farm in Branson will welcome craft collectors this month for its annual Shepherd’s Fall Craft Fair.
The fair, scheduled for Sept. 8-10, will feature both local and out-of-state vendors selling a variety of handmade and repurposed goods.

The entry fee for the fair is just $5 for attendees older than 12 (kids 12 and younger are free), which includes a self-tour through the farm and Lil’ Pete’s Kids Playland, Petting Zoo and Mini-Golf. Parking is complimentary and available in the main parking lot. Be sure to satisfy your hunger with food trucks on site, as well as at the farm’s restaurant and ice cream shop.

For more information, visit shepherdscraftfair.com.

Shepherd of the Hills Fall Craft Fair

Lots of handmade and repurposed items will be up for grabs at The Shepherd of the Hills Fall Craft Fair, Sept. 8-10 in Branson. (Image courtesy of Facebook)

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

by Patti Klinge | Jul 31, 2023 | Mid-American

August 2023 …

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. 13 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.

Train & Toy Show

Fred’s Train Shop of Overland Park, KS, will be just one of the many vendors at the upcoming Mid-America Train and Toy Show in Kansas City, MO. Pictured here: Lionel O-Gauge H15-44 toy trains. (Image courtesy of Facebook)

Free Fair back in Lamar

by Patti Klinge | Jul 31, 2023 | Mid-American

August 2023 …

Free Fair back in Lamar

Missouri’s largest free fair will offer several days of entertainment when it descends on downtown Lamar, Aug. 18-26.

Highlights of the fair will include the Rotary Fair Queen Pageant, as well as a carnival, youth livestock show, art show, food vendors, parades, and blue-ribbon contests.

The fair will take place in the town’s Constitution Square in downtown Lamar.

For more information, call 417-850-2033 or visit www.bartoncounty.com/fair.

Lamar Free Fair carnival

Fun for the whole family at the Lamar Free Fair (Image courtesy of Facebook)

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

by Patti Klinge | Jul 31, 2023 | Mid-American

September 2023 …

Sellers and buyers ready to descend on tiny town for 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 will soar to more than 75,000 for both 2023 shows. This year, the fall show is set for Aug. 29-Sept. 1. 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.

Enchanted Frog to host Spring Flea Market

Sparks, Kansas

Come explore the treasures that await in Sparks during the annual fall flea market. (Image courtesy of Facebook)

Outdoor flea will mark Captain Cook’s third anniversary

by Patti Klinge | Jul 31, 2023 | Mid-American

August 2023 …

Outdoor flea will mark Captain Cook’s third anniversary

What better way for an antique store to celebrate its own birthday than by giving YOU a birthday gift – in the form of hot deals?
To celebrate its three years in business, Captain Cook’s Treasure Chest in Louisburg will host an outdoor flea market on Aug. 19.

Come shop for antiques, yard art, vintage collectibles, handmade items, architectural salvage, and much more. Several booths will be set up in front of the store. The flea will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For more information – or just to offer your happy birthday wishes – call the store at 913-837-2757. The store can be found in cyberspace at www.captaincookstreasurechest.com.

Captain Cook's Treasure Chest

Don your party duds and your finest jewelry to help Captain Cook’s Treasure Chest celebrate its third birthday this year. The Louisburg, KS, antique store is moving the party outside for an outdoor flea market on Aug. 19. (Image courtesy of Facebook)

Feel the power at Power of the Past

by Patti Klinge | Jul 31, 2023 | Mid-American

September 2023 …

Feel the power at Power of the Past

An annual show will expose attendees to the raw power of steam engines and other antique farm equipment.

The Power of the Past Antique Engine and Tractor Show, Sept. 8-10 at Forest Park in Ottawa, features a variety of activities designed to appeal to veteran attendees and newcomers alike. The show will include demonstrations of hay baling, threshing, and shingle milling; tractor pulls, horse-powered equipment, a flea market, food vendors and lots of ice cream will keep attendees entertained and well fed.

Speaking of food, be sure to show up early on Friday, Sept. 8, and enjoy a free meal of ham and beans from 4 p.m. until it’s gone (with paid admission). Admission is $5 for all three days; kids under 12 are free.

For more information, call 785-241-0834 or 785-229-5530, or visit www.powerofthepast.net.

Power of the Past

Only the sturdiest, most powerful tractors will be on display at the Power of the Past Antique Engine and Tractor Show’s parade of power. The Ottawa, KS, event will take place Sept. 8-10 at Forest Park. (Image courtesy of Facebook)

Red Wing annual show and sale brings collectors together

by Patti Klinge | Jun 23, 2023 | Mid-American

July 2023 …

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 2023 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 13-15, while the show and sale take place from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. July 15. All events take place at the River Bluff Education Center in Red Wing. This year is the convention’s 46th.

For more information, call 651-388-4004 or visit www.redwingcollectors.org.

Red Wing Pottery

The Red Wing Collectors Society Inc.’s annual show and sale on July 15 occurs during its 46th Annual Crockfest Convention in Red Wing, MN. Stoneware, pottery and antiques will be up for grabs. (Image courtesy of Facebook)

Browse more than 300 booths at Bella Rustina in Conway this July

by Patti Klinge | Jun 23, 2023 | Mid-American

July 2023 …

Browse more than 300 booths at Bella Rustina in Conway this July

Conway will once again host the Bella Rustina Modern Vintage Market, July 14-16 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 14, and it’s $5 for Saturday, July 15, and Sunday, July 16.

For more information, visit www.bellarustina.com.

Bella Rustina

Bring your summer vibes to Bella Rustina, July 14-16 at the Conway Expo Center in Conway, AR. There you’ll find cool deals on vintage and vintage-inspired items. (Image courtesy of Facebook)

Show will feature antique farm vehicles, tools in action

by Patti Klinge | Jun 23, 2023 | Mid-American

July 2023 …

Show will feature antique farm vehicles, tools in action

For a glimpse at old-fashioned farm power, plan to attend the 70^th annual show of the Tri-State Antique Engine and Threshers Association, July 27-29 in Bird City.

The show will host Hart Parr Oliver collectors and include a bonus feature of farm trucks and pickups. 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.

Tri-State Threshers

The Tri-State Engine and Threshers Association will host its 70^th annual show in late July 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)

Cruise on into Springfield for the annual Birthplace of Route 66 Festival

by Patti Klinge | Jun 23, 2023 | Mid-American

July 2023 …

Cruise on into Springfield for the annual Birthplace of Route 66 Festival

Springfield’s Birthplace of Route 66 Festival is back Aug. 10-12 with some new features and all of the same old fun attendees have come to expect from the annual event.

This year’s event will include a talent search competition. Singers, songwriters and dancers ages 18 and older are encouraged to register. Registration and official rules are online at www.route66festivalsgf.com/talent. The deadline to register is July 7.

A full lineup of activities will keep attendees busy with plenty of fun. A car show, parade, raffles, poker run, vendor village, and lots of live music, including the Emerald City Band and Tommy DeCarlo.

Organizers of the festival are already hard at work preparing for the 100^th anniversary of the Mother Road in 2026. Keep an eye on future issues of Discover Vintage America for more information.

For more information about this year’s Birthplace of Route 66 Festival, visit www.r oute66festivalsgf.com.

Route 66

One of the winners of last year’s Birthplace of Route 66 Festival car show contest, David Snapp, poses with his 1966 Volkswagen van. This year’s festival will take place in Springfield, MO, Aug. 10-12. (Image courtesy of Facebook)