The rise of the vintage trend has had a major impact on home décor in recent years, and that doesn’t seem to be changing any time soon. Here on the First Coast, families, collectors and designers of all kinds are forgoing the modern and futuristic for the more comfortable charms of the past, and come November, thousands are expected to gather for the Rustapalooza Vintage Markets in St. Marys, Georgia, to add to their growing collections.
“It’s a big community event,” said curator Maria Riebe, of Jacksonville. “The average attendance is 6-7,000 for the day, as far as shoppers go, so it’s a big deal for little St. Marys.”
Originally started by Riebe in 2012 as a small market in the back of Rusted: A Vintage Market in Jacksonville, Rustapalooza is now held twice a year in St. Marys, featuring the wares of 100 vendors from multiple different states.
“Beaux Studios, out of Orlando, they do vintage clothing and they’re actually one of the sponsors of the show,” Riebe said. “And then Cottle & Gunn is one of our largest sponsors. They’re the ones that actually invited me to (move the event) to St. Mary’s, and they’ve been a partner ever since.”
Riebe added that this year’s event will not only offer attendees a chance to take home unique vintage finds, but will also feature food, live music and a new theme, as well.
“The theme is Southern Coastal Christmas this year,” she said. “We had a lot of requests last year for more holiday décor, so our vintage vendors are stocking up with more holiday items, like fall décor and Christmas décor.”
Rustapalooza’s Southern Coastal Christmas will take place Saturday, Nov. 10, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 100 Ready St. in St. Marys. General admission begins at 10 a.m. and tickets are $5 at the gate, though admission for children ages 10 and under is free. Tickets for 8 a.m. admission can also be purchased online.
“We do a thing called Early Pickin’,” Riebe advised, “which is a $10 ticket you can get online, and that lets you shop early from 8 to 10, before the crowds get there, and it’s good for the rest of the day.”
To learn more about Rustapalooza Vintage Markets or to purchase early admission tickets, visit www.rustapalooza.com.
