By Robert Medley
Managing Editor
It has been a decade since Old Store co-owner Joyce Leach had the idea to host an outdoor antique festival with a flair for collectibles and junk that is treasure to some.
At 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 9, in conjunction with the City of Piedmont’s Founder’s Day, the 10th annual Junklahoma event will draw thousands to downtown Piedmont and the downtown antique store.
A parade is at 10 a.m., and Leach said people should arrive early to take a look at more than 200 vendors. The Piedmont First Baptist Church is also offering space for the growing event.
Leach recommends early arrival.
“The event starts at 9 a.m. and the event starts at 10 a.m. so you’ve got an hour to kind of get in and get settled before they close the streets. So get here early,” Leach said.
The weather is going to be a little warm, but not too hot.
“I think it is looking like 95 degrees. We’ve had a lot worse in the past. Hopefully, everyone comes and enjoys it and does a lot of shopping. The Old Store will be open and I’ve been working really hard getting the store ready,” Leach said.
There will be inflatable attractions for children, live entertainment, food trucks, and pony rides.
2013 was first year
Leach said she estimates there were 7,000 to 8,000 people who attended Junklahoma 2022. There were pictures from a drone that showed the huge crowds.
“There is not a great way to get an exact number, we are just going by the number of cars parked,” Leach said.
A $5 donation to park vehicles goes to the Piedmont Area Veterans Association.
Junklahoma is Leach’s year-long passion and ongoing project, and she was booked for all spaces for vendors by June this year. The booths will feature vintage items, antiques, retro, repurposed valuables from vendors.
“We’re pretty proud of that,” Leach said.
Jared Stewart, who is working as a committee chairman for the Piedmont Founder’s Day organization of volunteers, is a 2000 Piedmont High School graduate. He has been getting the logistics worked out for the big day.
“We’re trying to add a few more things. We’ve spread out to the Historical Society annex property at 2nd Street and Jackson. “
He said the Piedmont FFA is going to be there as well as “hometown games,” such as sack races and three-legged races, and tug-of-war.
“It will be pretty informal this year and free for the kids to play. We’ll have a few more vendors over there and food trucks, and we’re starting to get the Historical Society more involved,” Stewart said.
Students from Piedmont High School Drama Department will portray historical characters from Piedmont such as Harold Collett, a former Piedmont school superintendent< Stewart said.
Junklahoma and Founder’s Day will end about 4 p.m. Saturday.
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