If you’ve lived in Omaha at any point over the last 10 years, odds are you’ve either visited or heard about this eclectic, magical festival that pops up twice a year on a farm just outside the city. You’ve probably also seen its whimsical themes on social media — backdrops that set the stage for weekends filled with one-of-a-kind finds, amazing food, live music and a whole lot of peace, love and junk.
The festival began in 2012 in a walk-in chicken coop. Since then, it has grown into a globally celebrated marketplace, attracting thousands of attendees this past spring alone. Visitors now come from across the United States — and even internationally, including guests from Aruba and Germany.
At the heart of it all is visionary founder Sara Alexander, a vintage-lover with a passion for unique decor. Her determination, creativity and the support of the “junk” community across the country have turned Junkstock into something truly special — a place where every discarded item is celebrated and every knick and knack is valued not just for its worth, but for the story it tells.
Home Reno Turned More
Sara Alexander didn’t grow up dreaming of starting a junk festival. In fact, she’ll be the first to tell you she lives in the moment and doesn’t plan too far ahead.
“I’m kind of a person that doesn’t go too far into the future,” she said. “I like to be along for the ride.”
When she and her husband bought their first home — a fixer-upper — thrifting began out of necessity. Alexander searched for affordable ways to decorate, but what started as a practical option quickly turned into a full-blown obsession.
“I got addicted to finding unique, fun and funky things at flea markets and thrift stores,” Alexander said. “By the time our home was done, our garage was full to the brim.”
Then one day, a Facebook ad for Junk Jubilee in Des Moines, Iowa, popped up in her feed. On a whim, Alexander decided to apply as a vendor.
“I loaded up the trailer with all the stuff from the garage and went to Des Moines,” Alexander recalled. “I just became instant friends with these kindred spirits — and I think I made $4,000 that weekend.”
The Genesis of Junkstock
When Alexander returned from her trip to Des Moines, she brought home more than just money. She returned with a deep sense of belonging and a vision for something bigger.
“After Junk Jubilee, I thought this could be something I could do that would allow me to continue to stay at home with my young children,” Alexander recalled. “So when I came back, I looked on Craigslist for a place to rent to do a once-a-month sale.”
Alexander rented an old chicken coop for $100 a month and began hosting monthly marketplaces. The success of those events led her to rent the farm near 192nd and Dodge streets where the coop was located. During a drive past the property, she looked out over the land and imagined something bigger: Omaha’s very own junk festival.
“It was a very unique, historic dairy farm, and it was in a good location and had the room,” Alexander said. “It reminded me of Woodstock, with the people I had met in the junking community. So I just thought of this idea of ‘Junkstock’ — peace, love and junk. It was the perfect theme.”
Twenty-four vendors participated in the very first Junkstock. Old tires found on the farm were painted and hung to form a huge peace sign on the front of the barn.
“We had such a huge turnout for the first one,” Alexander said. “I remember seeing so many people with their pictures by that peace sign. It was really cool.”
A Legacy of Community and Creativity
Junkstock has continued to grow every year since its start in 2012, and now Alexander and her team are celebrating 14 years of magic and inspiration. What began as a small operation has blossomed into a full-fledged family affair. Alexander’s husband left his full-time job this past spring to join the team. Their son sells Middle Eastern–inspired strawberries, and sisters, aunts, dads and moms all pitch in to make Junkstock a reality.
But it’s the people behind Junkstock who truly bring it to life. The creative crew develops the themes, while a group of women source all the items needed to bring those ideas to fruition. Artists hand-paint the signage, and carpenters and builders play a foundational role each year. Another group handles staging, while others craft stunning floral and fauna displays.
Although they’ve collaborated on themes for only five years, these collaborators work seamlessly to gather everything needed to bring each whimsical vision to life.
This spring’s “By the Sea” theme was a particular favorite of Alexander’s, as it beautifully reflected her love for all things sun and surf. Without giving too much away, she hinted that this fall’s theme might be all about nature. “Think of trees and the great outdoors,” she said.
A Pebbling Paradise
What began as a garage full of odds and ends has evolved into what Junkstock is today — a joyful, twice-a-year celebration of creativity, community and secondhand treasures. In many ways, it’s a “pebbling” paradise.
Pebbling — a term inspired by the behavior of gentoo penguins — refers to small, thoughtful acts of kindness done to show love, care and appreciation. These gestures are often simple but carry emotional significance, and that form of love comes straight from the top.
“If you can appreciate the people that come into your life for a reason — for however long — and even in small ways — it always comes back tenfold,” Alexander reflected. “All the people that have walked through these doors have a special part in making this event into what it is.”
That, in many ways, captures the spirit of Junkstock — the joy of discovering something special and sharing it with others. The makers and artists who create handmade, one-of-a-kind pieces, along with the vendors who curate unique vintage finds, are the true gift-givers. They've spent countless hours crafting, designing, and creating — and days on end exploring thrift stores, flea markets, and vintage shops. All to gather treasures that spark memories, stir emotions and remind us of the people we love.
And for every person who is blessed enough to walk the grounds at Junkstock, there’s magic waiting. Visitors are blessed by the love of the place, inspired by its charm — and when the day comes to a close and they find themselves on their way home, they are sent away with all the love a Midwestern community can offer — their hearts full of care and their arms full of “pebbles,” courtesy of Junkstock.
It reminded me of Woodstock, the people I had met in the junking community. So I just thought of this idea of ‘Junkstock’ — peace, love and junk. It was perfect.
If you can appreciate the people that come into your life for a reason — for however long — and even in small ways — it always comes back tenfold.