You Could Easily Spend All Weekend At This Enormous Nebraska Flea Market

There was a time when "junk" described something you wouldn't want in your home, but junk has enjoyed a renaissance in the past couple of decades. Today it's synonymous with hidden treasure, and Nebraska's best flea markets are all-in on the hunt. Junkstock in Waterloo is a huge flea market just outside of Omaha, and it's the perfect place to find your own treasure...whatever that may be.

Junkstock is held four times a year at Sycamore Farms, a 135-acre horse farm in Waterloo. This century-old farm is the perfect setting for the rustic-chic vibe of the event.

Well, rustic-chic with a dose of the '70s! Be sure to snap a few photos of the creative displays put together by the farm and the many vendors.

The first time you attend, you may be shocked at just how big Junkstock is. There are booths, buildings, and tables all around the property. About 200 vendors participate in any given year, making it one of the largest flea markets in Nebraska. And that doesn't even include the food stands and trucks!

You'll find just about everything you can imagine here, and lots more that you never knew existed. Are you in the market for upcycled planters? You'll find about a thousand different kinds. A bookshelf made from an old ladder? There will be at least a few of those, too.

Antique gas station signs, gorgeous steamer trunks, rehabbed furniture, recycled bikes...

...taxidermied turkeys, interesting storage furniture, one-of-a-kind decor, and so, so much more awaits on this big old farm.

If anyone is interested in getting me a Christmas present, I'll take all of these globes and owls, please.

These ladies look pleased as punch to have found a special treasure to take home. You'll see hundreds of smiles like this all through the weekend as people find and carry off their prizes. It really does feel like you've won something when you find just the right new accessory for your home.

The thrice-yearly festival began in 2012 when founder Sara Alexander turned her passion for junking from a hobby to a small business to one of the most well-loved junk festivals in the country.

Today, people come from all over the country to shop with the vendors who have, over the years, become one big family.

Shopping is far from all you'll do on a Junkstock weekend. There are tons of food vendors selling treats from the upscale to the delightfully sinful.

There are even some treats that do their best to stay with the "junk" theme (in the best way possible). Junk food delights like fried Oreos will win your heart - and you'll be doing so much walking that you can indulge without too much guilt.

Pony rides and a petting zoo are a wonderful treat for the kids, but even adults will find extra activities as well.

There's even live music all weekend long to keep you entertained while you're hunting for the next great treasure.

But to really get a jump on your perusing, you can even buy early bird tickets that let you in before opening hours for exclusive shopping without the crowds. This is the best way to snatch up those fantastic finds before someone else does!

Junkstock has become such a popular destination that they've even added a tiny chapel for couples who want to get married at the festival. This is way more than just a shopping weekend - it's a massive event that vendors and shoppers look forward to. Luckily, the next one is always just a few months away!

Junkstock in Waterloo, Nebraska takes place on specific event dates during both spring and fall. For more information, including this year's dates and hours, visit the Junkstock website. You can also purchase your tickets online in advance, or buy them at the gate when you arrive. In fact, you can even buy early bird tickets that let you in before opening hours for exclusive shopping without the crowds!

Can't get enough antiques and "junk"? Nebraska is full of fabulous shopping opportunities! Visit the unique Grain Bin Town near North Platte, the Vintage Merchant General Store in Weston, and the Platte Valley Antique Mall in Greenwood.