Region
Once a year, a corner of Urbandale, Iowa transforms into one of the Midwest's most atmospheric open-air markets. The Vintage & Made Fair takes place at Living History Farms — a working heritage site on the northwest edge of Des Moines — on the third or fourth Saturday of September, running from 09:00 to 16:00. The setting is genuinely unusual: a landscape built around Iowa's agricultural past becomes, for one day, a marketplace for handcrafted goods, antique finds and artisan creativity.
The fair grew from a personal conviction. Tricia Hall, owner of Vintage No. 35 in Des Moines, launched the event after noticing a gap in the local market scene — nowhere in the city brought vintage and handmade goods together in a single dedicated space. She built the fair to fill that gap, and demand quickly outpaced the original venue at Jordan Park Camp. The move to Living History Farms gave the event the scale and open-air character it needed.
More than 100 booths spread across the grounds on event day. Vendors bring antique home décor, jewellery, outdoor accents and seasonal florals alongside handcrafted goods that range from artisan ceramics to textile work. The balance between vintage and contemporary handmade reflects the fair's founding idea: that old and new craft share the same respect for materials and making.
Food is part of the experience too. Several food vendors set up across the site, and past editions have included a vintage camper converted into a mobile bar — a detail that suits the fair's character well. Local musicians play throughout the day, keeping the pace relaxed without pushing it into festival territory. The result feels more like a curated neighbourhood gathering than a commercial trade event.
Living History Farms sits in Urbandale, northwest of central Des Moines. Most visitors arrive by car, and the venue is well suited to that. Plan around the single-day window — the fair does not repeat later in the season — and arrive with time to move through the full spread of stalls.
The Vintage & Made Fair suits anyone who takes vintage shopping seriously, collects handcrafted objects, or simply wants to spend a September Saturday somewhere with genuine atmosphere. The outdoor setting, the calibre of vendors and the one-day-a-year urgency make it worth marking in the calendar well in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When does the Vintage & Made Fair take place, and how long does it run?
A: The fair runs once a year on the third or fourth Saturday of September at Living History Farms in Urbandale, Iowa. Hours are 09:00 to 16:00. Because it is a single-day event with no repeat later in the season, it is worth confirming the exact date on the organizer's official channels before you plan your trip.
Q: What kinds of goods can shoppers expect to find across the 100+ booths?
A: The vendor mix covers two broad camps: vintage and antique goods — home décor, jewellery and outdoor accents — alongside handcrafted and artisan work including ceramics, seasonal florals and textile pieces. The fair was deliberately built to put both categories under one roof, so buyers interested in either old finds or contemporary craft will have plenty to work through.
Q: Is there food and drink available on site?
A: Yes — food vendors set up across the grounds on the day. Past editions have included a vintage camper converted into a mobile bar, which fits the fair's character well. Live local music plays throughout, keeping the pace easy without tipping into full festival mode.
Q: How do most visitors get to Living History Farms for the fair?
A: Living History Farms sits on the northwest edge of Des Moines in Urbandale, and most visitors arrive by car. The venue is well suited to that. Allow extra time on fair day, as 100+ booths take a full morning and afternoon to cover properly.
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