After a year off due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Piedmont’s downtown event that draws antique dealers, lovers and others returns Saturday.
Junklahoma is back this year, organizer Joyce Leach said. It all starts at 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 11 at 100 Monroe Ave. NW. The day ends at 4 p.m.
The junk show is part of the annual Piedmont community Founders Day. Founders Day was also canceled last year in Piedmont due to COVID-19.
“We are very excited to be back this year,” Leach said. “We are going to go big and hope people show up,” Leach said.
Leach is co-owner of The Old Store in Piedmont. She said there will be a variety of handpicked “junk,” available, antiques, and other items from vendors. The Junklahoma event is sponsored by the Piedmont Old Store.
Junklahoma started in 2013 when it was then known as Junk Hippie Country, Leach said, and then in 2015 it officially became Junklahoma.
This is the sixth Junklahoma, and the event has continued to grow in popularity.
In 2019, the free event drew thousands to Piedmont. One crowd estimate from police officers and firefighters was 5,000 to 7,000 people.
On Friday, the booths will be set up. Signs are already posted around town, she said.
This year the 30th anniversary of the annual Piedmont Founders Day event.
On Saturday, A 5K run sponsored by Mugwamps Fitness of Piedmont. Registration will be at the Piedmont Public Library, 1129 Stout Drive N.W. at 7:30 a.m. There is a 5K for $25 and a mile fun run for $15 people can enter. The Founders Day parade will be at 10 a.m.
The proceeds from the will go to the Piedmont Elementary School physical education department
The run is along the new trail in Piedmont. Superhero costumes are encouraged. There are prizes for top finishers.
Meagan Early, owner of Mugwamps, said she is expecting a large turnout this year.
“I’m a runner myself, so for any run I’m always ready. It (interest) has been pretty good so far,” Early said.
Early said the runners will get to use the new City of Piedmont trail completed last year that is located just west of Golden Hills Lane.
There will be food trucks and other vendors at Founders Day and Junklahoma. Also, vendors will be at Piedmont Baptist Church indoors, and an art show will also be inside the church sponsored by Piedmont Public Library.
Entertainment under a big tent will include Tyler Russell, a country singer, performing about 1 p.m.
Pony rides and a petting zoo will be set up.
Read The Piedmont-Surrey Gazette and follow piedmontnewsonline.com for updates.
