By: Natalie Veloso, Reporter
OMAHA, Neb. — Omaha’s original vintage festival returns for its 11th anniversary as Junkstock: Harvest Edition took place in Waterloo, Nebraska, for two consecutive weekends.
Over 250 vendors and 13 live bands gathered at Sycamore Farms for Junkstock’s fall edition festival. Live music and food trucks alongside junk, antique and vintage vendors had booths set up throughout the farm.
Originally a 29-vendor event, Junkstock has seen impressive growth over the last decade, now making it one of the largest in the country. USA Today recognized Junkstock: Harvest Edition as a top-10 fall festival worth travelling for.
This year, vendors and artists travelled from 28 states to join the fun. Barbara Coonce, owner of Smoking Gun Jerky based in Lincoln, says Junkstock helps small businesses connect with their buyers.
“They can go to the grocery store and buy the product, but it’s also nice when we can do a one-on-one and talk with them,” Coonce says. “And I think one of the things that’s a benefit about Junkstock is again, we get to meet our customers.”
One new addition this fall season is a 25-by-25-foot pumpkin mural featuring 2,000 real pumpkins. The fan-favorite pumpkin house also makes its return, standing 15 feet tall at the heart of the festival.
Guests also have a variety of food, drinks and dessert options to choose from. Junkstock this year featured more than 40 food trucks and stands, with fan-favorites like apple cider donuts and bloody marys guests enjoyed as they walked through the decorated acres of Sycamore Farms.
The festival’s success and recognition are attracting national attention to Omaha, driving in tens of thousands of people each weekend. Junkstock guest Kelly Briggs says this is the best place to do some small-business shopping.
“I found some really fun t-shirts, and some food items as well, and gifts for our family,” Briggs says.
Running Friday through Sunday on Sept. 30 to Oct. 2, and the next weekend on Oct. 7 to 9, Junkstock celebrated its eleventh anniversary this year back in full swing after two years of pandemic uncertainty.
Junkstock will return for their Spring Edition in 2023 with another two-weekend event in April and May. Open rain or shine, this local festival is not one to miss.
