Antique shoppers, coastal décor collectors and lovers of live music, save the date for Rustapalooza!
What is Rustapalooza, you might ask? Well, it is a two-day event that is held in downtown St. Marys each spring and summer. April’s event, Rustapalooza Spring is set for April 6th and 7th. The annual fall show is known as the Rustapalooza Jingle Junk Market and features a holiday-themed shopping experience.
Rustapalooza is the event to attend if you love browsing through huge selections of architectural salvage items, coastal décor, farmhouse style décor, repurposed vintage items, vintage garden items, handmade jewelry, furniture, one-of-a-kind antiques and Georgia-made items.
Toss in scrumptious food from local vendors as well as live music, and you have a fun day at the waterfront.
While the home base of Rustapalooza is situated at St Marys, vendors are not just local. Curator of the Rustapalooza Vintage Markets, Ms. Maria Riebe, shared that vendors travel from over six different states to be part of this annual event: ‘We have vendors this show from 6 states, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Pennsylvania and New York!’
For the past three years, Rustapalooza has kept guests coming in from over twenty-two states. As in the past four shows, this year’s event is partnered with St. Marys Main Street Association. Riebe shared some facts on the previous years: ‘We have given a portion of the show proceeds back to a project in the local community ever since. With this partnership we have been able to donate over $17,000 back to the City of St. Marys from our Pickin’4a Purpose nights and ticket proceeds. We were able to donate the tide clock now located at the entrance to waterfront park on St. Marys Street.’
The show was originally held in Jacksonville, Florida. Riebe described the change of venue:
‘Prior to coming to St. Marys we held the show in Jacksonville, FL but we were looking to expand and Deborah Cottle of Cottle & Gunn, the vintage store in downtown St. Marys, invited me up to look at some possible venue options and the rest is history. We partnered with St. Marys Main Street Association and have worked in conjunction with them ever since.’
Want to reserve a booth in an upcoming event? Applications are accepted between six and eight months in advance. Riebe shared that the spring is already full, but information for future shows can be found on their website.
