Funky Junk Show offers a treasure trove for bargain hunters

By Ben Olson
Reader Staff

If you can imagine it, the Funky Junk Antique Show probably has it. The rummage sale extravaganza returns to the Bonner County Fairgrounds for its 14th annual Labor Day show, offering everything from home and garden décor to antiques to arts and crafts.

Event organizer Jennifer Wood said this year’s theme, “Set a Course for Funkiness,” is a nod to the beach town lifestyle that many enjoyed this summer.

Courtesy photo.

“That theme came because the beach and lake was our refuge,” Wood told the Reader. “I bought Nathan [Wood’s husband] a vintage boat for his birthday and during COVID we were on the lake a lot, so we thought, let’s make this something that honors the beach and lake.”

There will even be a 1940s wooden Chris Craft boat on display at the show to help set the vibe.

For those who have never been, the Funky Junk show is a one-of-a-kind experience. Featuring more than 80 booths operated by traveling vendors, the show is a bargain hunter’s paradise. Plus, since the show was canceled last year due to the pandemic, vendors will likely have a lot of extra stock on hand for their customers.

“There were so many people who weren’t able to sell their wares or lost their brick-and-mortar last year,” Wood said. “I’m really happy to give them a chance to be seen and make some money, to get their products out there again. A good percentage of my vendors have told me this is their first show in a year and a half.”

Wood said she always notices new trends develop among vendors from year to year.

“Millennials are becoming our biggest demographic now,” she said. “They are really environmentally aware, so they want things that are utilitarian, for storage or multi-use. Anything that’s made from pottery or wicker or earthy like that, especially styles from the ’70s and things that are made by hand are popular. You can call it boho chic. It’s really interesting because we get to see each decade come back to life, with another generation appreciating it. I’ve always loved that part of this show.”

There will be barbecue available for purchase from the Hoodoo Valley Hoedowners Square Dancing Group, and a portable horse trailer bar serving cocktails and beer. There will also be coffee available. 

Dave Gunter and Tami Belzer-Gunter, of Bridges Home, will play live music Saturday from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

“They’ve been with us since our first Labor Day weekend,” Wood said. “We’re so happy to have them back, and they’ll have Paul [Gunter] with them too, so it’ll be a trio.”

Wood said that while the increased growth to North Idaho in the past year has been challenging to some locals, it has some silver linings.

“It’s brought in this demographic of people who have moved here from places where they constantly had something to do every weekend,” she said. “Farmers’ Market this year was like the Fourth of July every day. Just going around putting up flyers and posters, people would stop me on the street and say they had never heard of the show yet. I’m expecting a huge crowd and we’re prepared for it, too.”

Wood said they will be opening the building at the fairgrounds on both ends, as well as utilizing large fans to increase ventilation. 

“We actually lost two of our vendors to COVID this year, so we want to keep everyone as safe as we can,” she said. “We made bigger walk areas around the booths for easier flow, and we added outdoor seating for dining. I’m always excited to see the creativity of our vendors and see familiar faces back again.”