I find great joy in the wistful, sentimental feelings that surface with nostalgic experiences that arise at events like the upcoming Vintage Fest, writes Marshall Ward
Samantha Starecincic and Robin Lindner of KWFamous. Vintage Fest, presented by KWFamous and the St. Jacobs Market District is happening May 20-22 outside Market Road Antiques. - KWFamous photo
I love antique markets and all things vintage and retro.
That’s why I’m excited about Vintage Fest, presented by KWFamous and the St. Jacobs Market District, happening May 20-22 outside Market Road Antiques in Waterloo.
“Vintage Fest will be an experience,” said Samantha Staresincic, chief operations officer of KWFamous.
“There will be antiques, vintage items, upcycled items and entertainment galore, food and drinks and fun. It will be an exciting thing to do over the May long weekend that celebrates what we have here locally in Waterloo Region.”
I told Staresincic that I’ve been a fan of KWFamous’ merchandise for years ever since I first discovered their t-shirts and stickers celebrating people, places, and everything famous in Kitchener-Waterloo, like Mt Trashmore, Ezra Avenue, and Otis and Ophelia, the swan couple in Victoria Park.
“That's all Robin Lindner, our co-founder and merch genius,” she said.
“She started KWFamous through street photography on Instagram and then started drawing up her favourite places locally. One of our hottest pieces of merch is the Ethel, Jane, Morty, Phil shirt — four staple places in uptown Waterloo that are rites of passage when you're here. They're what make K-W home and gives our small town a big city feel that we all know and love.”
Staresincic said the upcoming Vintage Fest will include a mix of curated antique and vintage vendors.
“Think quilts and clothing, home decor, and jewelry,” she said.
“There will be vendors who are selling sets of items from specific eras like Art Deco and Mid-Century Modern themes, but it will be a real mixture. We're still looking through all of the goodies they've shown us in their applications but we have a great variety of vendors joining us for the weekend that you won't want to miss. Plus, the permanent Market Road Antiques vendors will be gearing up for their busy season, constantly restocking new items in their stalls.”
Like me, Staresincic finds great joy in the wistful, sentimental feelings that surface with nostalgic experiences that arise at antique markets and events like the upcoming Vintage Fest.
“I feel like I'm always trying to look like an ‘80s mom down to everything except the hair,” she said with a laugh.
“My house, however, is covered in all the ages. I love really old frames, I have my grandma’s 1960s Singer sewing machine, and I have redone dressers and hutches from the early 20th century. I love colour and texture, and reusing what other people no longer need. I follow the maximalist trend and love surrounding myself with anything that has a story.”
I asked Staresincic about KWFamous presenting Vintage Fest with the St. Jacobs Market District and how that partnership happened.
“KWFamous is all about collaborations,” she said.
“Through our networks, the St. Jacobs Market District heard about some of the work we had been up to and we had in turn attended their events. It was just by fate that we were already planning Vintage Fest and that the St. Jacobs Market District were looking to amplify Market Road Antiques. They were also interested in finding new community partners and they were open-minded and looking to engage new audiences, and we both saw each other as a great fit.”
Check out our Bonn Park Podcast episode with KWFamous here. KWFamous’ Samantha Starecincic and Robin Lindner join Sara and Marshall to chat about Vintage Fest, happening May 20-22 outside Market Road Antiques in Waterloo.
For more information about Vintage Fest visit kwfamous.com.
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