The following article was written by Jordan Kabat with Evergleams on Eighth.
Summer can be a grind. With just a few months in Wisconsin with weather appropriate for outdoor activities, people seem to want to jam all of the weddings, graduation parties, barbecues, car shows, markets, fairs, and family reunions into a flurried frenzy lasting just a few consecutive weeks. A people-pleaser, I’ve never been good at saying no, but I am practicing; I just said no to attending my great aunt’s funeral.
With my new-found freedom, I’m trying to fit in a little bit of “me time” this summer, doing things that I enjoy without feeling guilty. Just last night I stayed in to watch Something’s Gotta Give and ate an entire pint of ice cream. Maybe I need to get out more… luckily, I think I’ve found just the ticket!
If you know me, then you know I’m always hunting for a good deal on quality vintage items. I love collecting home furnishings from the ’50s and ’60s, but the grind of estate sale-ing and the meager pickings at local resell shops is often disheartening. Of course there’s internet shopping, but what is gained in ease on eBay is sacrificed in the charm of checking out a piece in-person and haggling with the seller face-to-face over the difference of a single dollar.
Thomas Kelly
My curiosity was piqued, then, when I found out about the Mid-Mod Manitowoc vintage market coming up this weekend (the 25th-26th) at the Inn on Maritime Bay. Hearing about the stellar offerings found at last summer’s market, I’m really looking forward to seeing what might be found at this year’s event: all curated vintage, and all available to take home that day. What’s more, as an aluminum tree collector, I was very excited to learn that several of these rare locally-produced vintage beauties are going to be available for purchase.
If you’re not necessarily interested in vintage, the general shopper will not be disappointed, as downtown businesses are featuring “Christmas in July” sales all week leading up to the Mid-Mod Manitowoc weekend. If you’re just interested in simply viewing the aluminum trees and not necessarily buying one, there is also a huge “Christmas in July” tree exhibition on display both Friday and Saturday at the Inn.
With a car show, commemorative merchandise sales, seminars on local history and vintage topics (my very good friend is giving one on favorite 1950’s Jell-O salad recipes and molds…), and even a vintage luau on Saturday night, there is something to keep everyone occupied. I guess my point is that if you’re not looking to hunker down this coming weekend to vegetate over yet another tired rom-com, join me in a little me-time at the Inn on Maritime Bay for Mid-Mod Manitowoc – truly the “Swellest Event of the Summer” (or at least sweller than that funeral I skipped)!
Mid-Mod Manitowoc is Friday, July 25th and 26th at the Inn on Maritime Bay, 101 Maritime Dr.
For a full schedule of events, and to purchase tickets for the Saturday evening Vintage Luau ($20), go to evergleams.org
Thomas Kelly is a lifestyle guru, vintage enthusiast, and connoisseur of all things kitsch to chic. He is also the former college roommate of Manitowoc Aluminum Kitsch-mas Vice President, Jordan Kabat.
