Junknista: A Vintage Market hosted its bi-annual community trade event from April 30 to May 1 at the James Lynn Cartlidge Forrest County Multi Purpose Center in Hattiesburg.
On the opening day of the event, a confirmed 2,500 people attended the market which housed more than 86 vendors. On Saturday, the market lasted from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The vendors showcased a variety of handcrafted, vintage, antique and repurposed items such as jewelry, collectibles, outdoor decor, clothing and more.
Junknista promoter and owner Kirsten Arbo said Junknista is no longer a traveling show and that it will be stationed in Hattiesburg bi-annually.
“This is our first two-day show,” Arbo said. “But by demand, we decided we would go ahead and do it. It’s been great so far, so we decided we would do it in the fall and a holiday show. We have vintage, repurposed, handcrafted [items], and we always try to bring in a little bit of homemade, homegrown element as well. But we focus on vintage, antiques, retro, mid-century, shabby, chic, farm decor, french farm – it’s very eclectic.”
Southern Miss Alumna and Mississippi Sunshine Girl owner Becky White said the event provided a family-friendly atmosphere that everyone could enjoy.
“There’s a good variety of different things here,” White said. “There’s things for men. It’s not just for girls, it’s for guys too. [There is] something here for everyone, even cotton candy for the kids.”
Many of the items for purchase were made from repurposed antiques or vintage items. Arbo said she goes junking for items to repurpose.
“I’m a diehard junker and picker,” Arbo said. “I’m a lover of vintage and all things rusty and crusty. I just got tired of waiting and begging so I separated from all the shows I was affiliated with and decided I would just do [my own show]. I love finding free things – things that you can repurpose and bring new life into.”
White said this event was different from the other events she had participated in.
“It has really unique items– things that I don’t see normally,” White said. “I do mainly arts and crafts, [but] this is a little different because it’s all vintage. I’ve really enjoyed seeing what the other vendors have. I saw some really cool things that I saw when I was growing up.”
Arbo said Junknista is not just about her passion but is also about supporting the local area.
“It’s about revenue and tax dollars for the Hattiesburg area,” Arbo said. “[It’s] not just about supporting the vendors and the artists. It’s about bringing more attention and supporting business people of the area.”
Arbo said the event provided another activity for the Hattiesburg community.
“We want to be a staple [event],”Arbo said. “We want are family-friendly event. It’s something else to do – it’s not a movie, it’s not bowling. It’s something that Hattiesburg can count on twice a year and three times [a year] when we have a holiday show.”
Junknista plans to hold another market this year on Oct. 8-9. For more information about Junknista, visit the website at junknista.com.
