CAIRO, Neb. (KOLN) – Friday marked the first official day of Junk Jaunt, and rain did not stop visitors from exploring more than 300 miles of flea markets and garage sales across central Nebraska. The community of Cairo lets shoppers get an early start.
The Junk Jaunt is bringing visitors and vendors to the rural community of Cairo, where organizers say the event helps the local economy thrive.
Stutzman has participated in Junk Jaunt since it started 23 years ago. He set up Junction 2 and 11 where Highway 2 and Highway 11 intersect, in what used to be Seldon’s gas station.
“Well, for me, it’s really important to rural economies, rural towns,” Stutzman said.
The event has become a family tradition for Stutzman, his kids and grandkids.
“I got involved in Junk Jaunt because my mother did a lot of baked goods,” Stutzman said. “And I was living in Kansas at the time. She called and told me about it. So 23 years ago when Junk Jaunt first started, I made the trek up here.”
“I get to spend a week, 10 days with my daughters and grandkids that I normally wouldn’t,” Stutzman said. “So that’s a huge bonus.”
Stutzman said the event is connected to agriculture.
“And I don’t know if people believe me or not, but this event is kind of tied to agriculture,” Stutzman said. “When the ag economy is good, we have really good years.”
Stutzman sells antiques to visitors from across the country, even in rainy weather.
“About 10 years ago, we had a map up here and made people show us their ID, where they’re from, and then we’d put a pin in,” Stutzman said. “And that year, we did 43 of the 50 states.”
The Junk Jaunt also draws vendors from outside the area. Deb and Rod Rehm, of Beatrice, sell yard ornaments from Mexico and set up a temporary community at the Cairo ball fields. The Rehms run a business called D & R Crafts.
“My wife, we went to a flea market and my wife seen a giraffe she wanted and that’s how it all began 15 years ago,” Rod Rehm said.
They get their handmade yard ornaments from Mexico to sell at 30 shows a year.
“You can stick anything of this kind of stuff in your yard and you’ll always have color,” Deb Rehm said.
They have sold ornaments from their RV at the Cairo ball fields for 10 years of Junk Jaunts.
“You meet all kinds of people from everywhere,” Deb Rehm said. “And so it doesn’t bother us at all to drive out here.”
“And maybe we’ll make a dollar or two,” Rod Rehm said. “That’s the name of the game.”
Despite rainy weather, the ball fields remained active at stop number 16. A line formed outside a metal building beneath the water tower Friday morning, and more than 60 vendors are registered in town.
Deputy Village Clerk Christy Osburn said the Junk Jaunt makes Cairo feel larger.
“We’re 820 some people, so it definitely grows,” Osburn said.
“So I think it was bigger when it started, but where we intersected two major highways, that definitely helps us because you can either go on Highway 11 or you can go on Highway 2,” Osburn said. “So I think for the most part, we have always been busy.”
The event was significant enough that school was canceled for a day so people could travel the roads safely, according to Osburn.
“It lets people know how nice central Nebraska and western Nebraska is,” Osburn said. “And the beauty, they kind of have it along the scenic byway. I’m anxious to see what it’s like this year because of the rain and because of the economy and gas prices.”
Stutzman said the appeal of the event connects to history.
“I think of my grandparents, ancestors, hard work, value of old things, value of history,” Stutzman said. “And that’s really, really what I believe a lot of Nebraskans are about.”
Junk Jaunt lasts three days, with the last day being Sunday, Sept. 27. Most vendors are busiest on Friday and Saturday, with many wrapping up or limiting hours by Sunday afternoon. Click here for more information about Junk Jaunt.
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