courtesy photos

Three days of peace, love and junk.

Junkstock. It’s like a garage sale with live music.

With more than 60 vintage junk vendors, 13 live bands and a handful of food trucks, the twice-a-year festival is an event for music lovers, foodies and antique hunters alike.

“You can find a little bit of everything to meet your repurposed vintage heart’s desire,” co-founder Danelle Schlegelmilch says.

Originally, Junkstock was the brainchild of Junque Factory storeowner Sara Alexander. She coordinated with Schlegelmilch last spring to plan the first festival, which brought in an estimated 5,000 attendees.

“I kept telling her, ‘If you build it, they will come,’ and boy, did they,” Schlegelmilch says. “We really couldn’t believe it.”

She expects similar success from this weekend’s event, which takes place at 315 S. 192 St. in Omaha from Friday, June 21 through Sunday. It runs from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $5 per day or $12 for all three days, with free parking.

Local musicians include Brad Hoshaw, Matt Cox Band, Sarah Benck and many others. There will also be a kid zone, which includes magic shows, face painting, bounce houses and balloons.

Schlegelmilch says that the junk, which is brought in from vendors in five different states, is not garbage. She describes the items as vintage treasures that remind you of the old days.

“(They are) things that can be reused and repurposed to bring new life to them,” Schlegelmilch explains. “People love this stuff to decorate their homes, make into gifts, etc.”

Because vendors bring new merchandise every morning, fresh items are still available on Sunday, the least crowded day of the weekend. The loot includes architectural salvage, vintage clothing, antiques, repurposed jewelry and more.

A few of Schlegelmilch’s favorite finds include a hot pink Samsonite luggage with pink polka dot interior, vintage maps, lawn chairs and hand mirrors. Schlegelmilch, a photographer, often uses Junkstock pieces in her photo shoots.

While she realizes that browsing thrift stores and hunting for antiques is common, Schlegelmilch says this event is one of a kind. 

“There is nothing like it,” she says. “It's really something you just have to experience yourself.”

SCHEDULE

Friday, June 21:

9:30-10:30 a.m. Brad Hoshaw (solo)

11-noon Matt Cox (solo)

12:30-1:30 p.m. Sans Banjo

2-3 p.m. Midwest Dilemma

3:30-4:30 p.m. Sarah Benck (solo)

5-6 p.m. Orion Walsh & The Rambling Hearts

Saturday, June 22:

9:30-10:30 a.m. Brad Hoshaw (solo)

11-noon Jessica Errett (solo)

12:30-1:30 p.m. Southpaw Bluegrass Band

2-3 p.m. Sarah Benck (solo)

3:30-4:30 p.m. Midwest Dilemma

5-6 p.m. Matt Cox Band

Sunday, June 23:

10:30-11:30 a.m. One Eye White

Noon-1 p.m. Manouche Moustache

1:30-2:30 p.m. Platte River Rain

3-4 p.m. Prairie Gators

Cara Wilwerding is a Hear Nebraska intern. She’s bummed she won’t be able to make it to Junkstock. Reach her at caraw@hearnebraska.org.