By Erin Cleavenger
Newsroom@DominionPost.com
Break out your ripped jeans and band tees, Star City Vintage Fest is coming to Edith Barill Riverfront Park from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday.
Gallery 304 — an area business set to open a storefront on High Street in September — is hosting the event that promises to have more than 35 vintage shops and food vendors from West Virginia and surrounding states.
Event organizer and Gallery 304 owner Nathaniel Hart said festival-goers can expect to find nostalgic clothing and items from the year 2000 and before with many vendors will bring 80s and 90s band and movie tees, pro wrestling apparel and sports memorabilia, along with other items including some antiques.
“I’m primarily going for the vintage tees and crewnecks,” said Hunter Williams, who frequents local arts festivals. “There really isn’t anywhere around here right now to get that kind of stuff, unless you order online.”
Hart agrees this kind of event is rare in Morgantown and has known for years he wanted to do something to give back to the vintage community that supported him.
“In Morgantown, it’s not something you really have the opportunity to buy every day or see even,” he said. “So I wanted to give back with the platform I’ve gained and get a lot of vintage sellers and people who want to buy or are interested in it an event here in West Virginia that people could come to from other states and from all across the state.”
Tatum Marciano has attended other vintage gatherings and is happy to see one close to home.
“I’m excited to see an event happen like this in Morgantown because things like this don’t happen often.”
Marciano also had a bit of advice for anyone planning to attend, “Just come to make friends. You can make so many connections when you come. Everyone in the vintage community is super, super open and nice and friendly. You can really make connections with people through clothing. It’s actually crazy, but I’ve watched it firsthand.”
Hart had hoped to hold the event last summer, but was unable to because of COVID-19.
Along with clothing and memorabilia, several local food and beverage vendors will be on hand, including Cheese Louise, Rolling Hills Rolled Ice Cream, Stray Cat Chimi Shack, Two Spruce Coffee Bar and Wonder Bubble Lemonade.
“Usually, I just go honestly for the food and community,” Williams said. “It’s good to go out and support local businesses.”
Hart’s goal is to make the event an experience for everyone, even those not necessarily interested in vintage items.
“I want them to leave thinking ‘Wow, I really appreciate that,’ or ‘That was so cool,’ whether it’s just nostalgic or they think it looks cool, even if they don’t know anything about it,” he said. “I think a lot of people could come just to enjoy it.”
Hart plans hold the event on Saturday rain or shine. For up-to-date event information and a full list of vendors follow @starcityvintagefest or @gallery304shop on Instagram or email starcityvintagefest@gmail.com.
TWEET @DominionPostWV
