Flea Market Special: Walnut Antique Show

Photo courtesy of www.walnutantiqueshow.com
I don't know if I've mentioned this before, but I LOVE flea markets! My mom and I never miss a What Cheer flea market. My mom has been going there for over 20 years, and as soon as I was old enough to walk the flea market without complaints, I got to go along too. A few years back, we decided that the wait between the May and August What Cheer shows was unbearable, and we needed to find a new show to go to in between.

After doing some research, we came across the Walnut Antique Show. Located in Walnut, Iowa (Iowa's Antique City), this small, small town hosts a flea market in Mid June every year.

We make a mother daughter weekend out of it, and when she can, my sister joins us a well. We stay overnight at a nearby hotel, and the past few years, we've eaten supper the night before at Mexican restaurant in downtown Harlan. The reason we go back…the cabbage salsa. I know it sounds weird, I had never heard of it before either, but it is AWESOME. I'm trying to recreate it, and when I'm successful, I'll share the recipe with you all. But seriously though, if you are ever in Harlan, at least stop for a margarita and ask for the cabbage salsa…you won't regret it.


Seriously...I'm drooling looking at this picture!!!

We wake up early the next day, get some breakfast, and head to the flea market. Upon arriving, the local legion helps you park, while they ride on horseback. The flea market itself is in town and the vendors line both sides of the street on the two main roads in town, fill the school gymnasium, and pour out of their antique malls that line the small downtown area.

I had planned to take awesome pictures of the show, but my excitement for the treasure hunt overcame me...whoops!

Whether you are a collecting rare items or looking to decorate your home with rustic pieces, you are bound to find something!

Top on my list to look for was:
Antique Hand Mirror
Vintage Bathroom Tins
Old Window (narrow and about 30" wide)
Vintage Sewing and Crochet stuff
Vintage Linens
Chair with cane back

And here's what I went home with:
I love old tins…these tins will look perfect above my cupboards with my other tins.


This little sewing machine accessories case is the perfect addition to my craft room shelf next to my old toy sewing machine.


This trunk though! My biggest purchase of the day…though the inside is rough, the outside is beautiful, and I just adore the red on the pressed tin.


Isn't this little stand great! It's a little rough, it's missing a few spokes on the top rail and needs a new paint job, but for $10…yes I said $10…it was a steal!!!



As a "dutch" girl, I'm drawn to windmills and tulips, and this print was no exception. I had to have it, and it was the perfect addition to my bathroom wall. 



To learn more about the Walnut Antique Show...click here. Plan you trip...who knows, maybe I'll see you there next year!

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