Heard whispers about this vintage fair in Seattle for months, figured it was time to ditch my usual weekend couch potato routine. Pulled up the event site right after breakfast cereal spilled on my sweatpants.
Step 1: Marking That Calendar
Scrolled through dates like I was dodging spam emails. Picked July 12-14 ’cause it lines up with payday weekend. Screenshotted the dates before accidentally closing the tab like always.
Step 2: Budget Hustle
Dumped my piggy bank on the bed. Counted:
- Gas money from Tacoma
- $100 for funky jackets
- $50 emergency “must-have ugly lamp” fund
- Snack cash so I don’t chew through vintage clothes
Step 3: Scouting Missions
Stalked last year’s hashtags till my phone overheated. Made a hit list:
- Electrofreak booth for neon signs
- Denim Graveyard for patchy jeans
- Mad Hatter’s Tea Party accessories stand
Saved map pics in my camera roll between dog memes.
Step 4: Road Trip Rules
Threw in trunk:
- Folding wagon (learned from last year’s backache)
- Reusable bags smelling faintly of last summer’s beach trip
- Granola bars squished under emergency jumper cables
Fair Day Chaos
Got there at opening when vendors still yawned. Pushed past crowds drooling over art deco mirrors. Bargained for 20 minutes over a lava lamp until the seller sighed: “Fine, $15 but stop talking”. Best deal ever.
Tripped over a fur coat pile trying to reach the vinyl section. Worth it.
Aftermath
Wallet felt like a deflated balloon. Backseat buried under:
- 1970s horse belt buckle
- Electric blue typewriter missing the “K” key
- Leather jacket smelling like someone’s grandpa
Drove home blasting Bowie with the wagon hanging out the trunk.
Lessons For Next Time
Things I’ll tell my cat while unpacking:
- Bring knee pads for rug digging
- Eat before entering – fair corndogs cause poor decisions
- Write your number on vendor lists – missed out on mushroom lamps
Already circled next year’s dates in red sharpie. Might need a bigger wagon.
