In just three days, vendors will begin filtering into Webster City for the Fourth annual JunqueFest. Organizers are expecting thousands of antique, junk and recycled goods fans to come to town to shop the more than 50 booths,

This year, there’s a change of venue. Vendors, food, and music will all be downtown Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The scene is set for downtown Webster City from Prospect and Second Street east to Seneca and then south on Seneca to First Street. The official hours for JunqueFest are Friday 12 to 7 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“I’m excited that it’s going to be downtown. It’s going to be a good opportunity for exposure for the businesses that are downtown,” Linda Christianson, Chamber of Commerce executive director said. “That’s very exciting to me, is to have exposure to the businesses that people may not know are here.”

Former chamber director Deb Brown concurred. She’s moved on to start her own business, but is helping with the 2017 JunqueFest.

“We’ve got bigger spaces for the vendors and lots of new vendors coming. With the downtown businesses being open, there’s lots of opportunities to shop that weekend,” Brown said.

She added that word about the three-day event is spreading throughout the Midwest.

Brown said the event usually draws several thousand people and she expects this year to be no different.

“It’s a great opportunity to showcase our community,” she added.

Live Music

Friday night, from 8 p.m. to midnight, a street dance will be held in front of Seneca Street Saloon, with Iowa’s own Farm Rock performing. Admission is $5. The band is well known for its four- hour plus shows.

Farm Rock was formed in 2011 as a top 40 Country Rock act playing well know original songs and the all around radio experience. Current members include Veteran Nashville performer and frontman Kendall Obermier, Lead Guitar player Ryan Van Arkel, Bass Player Dan Calvert and drummer Jeff Rients. Live sound provided by Keven Obermier and the digital experience. Members of Farm Rock have played many times with country greats like Jason Aldean, Eric Church, Brad Paisley Phil Vassar and many others.

“I’m excited about bringing some live music to town,” said Christianson. “I think it will be a really great add to the event.”

Local businesses that are making this concert possible are Webster City Area Chamber of Commerce, Hawkins Industries, Neighborhood Realty, Peterson Construction, inTANDEM Marketing LLC, Seneca Street Saloon and Groves and Chizek Law Office. Saturday afternoon from 1 to 4 pm and Sunday 10 am -2 pm Bill Robb and CPR, local favorites, will be playing live in the Availa Bank Plaza. Bill and the boys bring years of experience and lots of country, rock and gospel music for your listening enjoyment. Often you’ll see them invite well known singers in the area to sit in and join in the music. Ricky Nelson will join them again this year for some great musical entertainment. Saturday evening at 5 p.m., the East End Boys will be performing live at Underground Ink, 817 Des Moines Street. It is the grand opening of Underground Ink, a new business in Webster City. The East End Boys are a bluegrass band and all are invited to attend.

“That should be a lot of fun on Saturday night,” said Brown.

Food and Wine

Downtown

Backcountry Winery, Soldier Creek Winery and TownsEnd Winery will all be on site for JunqueFest sampling their wares. Outdoor food vendors include HyVee Grill, Mornin’ Glory, Sweet Treats, Grid Iron Grill, Cloud 9 Cotton Candy and The Magic Bus. Organizers said they expect to add to this list as well. Vendors, Entertainment More than 50 vendors have applied and been confirmed. They are coming from all over: South Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa. Vendors will be showcasing vintage treasures, handmade fun, rustic items, yard art, painted products, architectural salvage, repurposed and recycled things, just to name a few. Every vendor is listed on the website at www.junquefest.com and this list grows daily. There will also be a live welding demonstration by Daven the Welder on Des Moines Street.

Legacy Learning Boone River Valley will have the ArtSpace at 531 2nd Street open for visits with the Artist in Residence. The Webster Theater will be hosting a matinee on Saturday at 2 p.m., providing a perfect opportunity to drop off the kids and do a little junqueing. Allen Mendenhall will be providing dj services throughout the weekend on 2nd Street.

Maps, Parking and Streets Information

Streets will be closed Thursday through Sunday. Thursday is set up day and more than 60 vendors are expected to come to town and get situated on downtown streets. Stores will still be open regular hours and local residents are encouraged to shop, people watch or volunteer to help with set up. Parking will be reserved for vendors on the North side of SOS Vintage, in the city lot on 1st Street just east of pHairyTales and in the city hall parking lot. Parking for the public will be in the parking lots on the north side of 2nd street (behind the stores), by the middle school, and on the surrounding streets.