Nebraska's Junk Jaunt

07/12/2025

With the 22nd Annual Nebraska's Junk Jaunt right around the corner, we continue to receive a lot of interest from people who have never attended this fun event! We thought it might be a great opportunity to share some the tips we have found to be helpful over the last 22 years!

07/11/2025

Nebraska's Junk Jaunt continued success is also fueled by several great professionals who work behind the scenes to keep the Junk Jaunt engine running! Today, we put the Junk Jaunt spotlight on Scott McLaughlin (owner of Heartland Hosting, LLC).
Scott calls Kearney home but is only an e-mail away from our offices in Ord! He is always available to help us with any issues that arise with the website-including making all updates! He does a great job at managing the technical aspects of being able to order your shopper guides online or register as a vendor on the website.
We asked Scott a few questions and here is what he had to say!
How are you associated with Nebraska's Junk Jaunt?
He said.... I was invited to be a part of the 1st Junk Jaunt by Peggy Haskell. We developed the 1st website and have assisted with technology. I have been honored to have been a part of it each year, since the beginning.
In 3 sentences, tell us about yourself....
He said....I started Heartland Hosting in 2001 to help businesses with web technologies. At that time, there were very few web designers and even fewer who understood the importance of the early adoption of this new technology. I was one of only a handful who were able to build professional websites.
Why do you support Nebraska's Junk Jaunt?
He said.... Over the past 22 years, the needs of the Junk Jaunt have changed to accommodate the shifting digital landscape. Today vendors can register online almost up to the date of the event. Shoppers can purchase a digital shopper guide online until the event concludes. With the introduction of the digital download shopper guide, customers can have their copy of the shopper guide on their phone or tablet.
What is your favorite thing about Nebraska's Junk Jaunt?
He said...I love looking every year after the event to see the impact of the event on commerce and tourism in the Junk Jaunt area. It is truly amazing the number of states represented every year by this event. It is common to have visitors from 35-40 states visit the Junk Jaunt.
And finally, some words of advice for the 1st time "junker"...
He said.... Pre-order your printed guide. When you receive it, plan your adventure. Map out your route to get to the communities where you find treasures. Know that it is impossible to see every community in the three-day weekend. Also, book your hotel, campground or Air B&B early. There are limited lodging locations along the routes. You will find all your favorite hotels outside of the Junk Jaunt area and a few of them in some of the bigger communities. Nebraska is very welcoming, and you will enjoy your trip!
We appreciate all that Scott does to support Nebraska's Junk Jaunt!

07/11/2025

Everyone has their reasons for marking their calendars for the Nebraska's Junk Jaunt! For some, it is the unique treasures and for others it is the opportunity to meet with friends and family for a fun weekend! For others, it is all about the "unique eats". From Pizza in Dannebrog and Burwell to enchiladas in Elba or a cold handcrafted pint in Ord-there is something for everyone! We know that people who attend Nebraska's Junk Jaunt are great at sharing important information - here is your chance! Let's let everyone know about great restaurants, food trucks, or community/civic organizations who hosts meals that can't be missed.

07/09/2025

The 22nd Annual Nebraska's Junk Jaunt is right around the corner-make sure to register by August 1st!

07/08/2025

The 22nd edition of Nebraska's Junk Jaunt is right around the corner! A "must have" tool for the serious "junker" is the official Nebraska's Junk Jaunt Shopper Guide. Have you ordered yours? But I don't know how to order it you say. We got you covered with a few different options...
Order Online: at www.junkjaunt.com.
Through the Mail: Mail a $17 check to Nebraska's Junk Jaunt at 1523 M Street, Ste 104 Ord, NE 68862. Make sure to include your name, address, phone number and e-mail address.
Purchase on location: The Shopper Guides will be available at all Pump and Pantry's across Nebraska, along with locations in the official Junk Jaunt communities. You can find a listing of locations available on the Junk Jaunt website, www.junkjaunt.com. There are also some antique stores across Nebraska that will have them as well, with availability for an in-person purchase in early September.

07/05/2025

Deadlines are approaching quickly, with August 1st to register as a vendor! It isn't too late to get some last-minute advertising in the shopper guide-just make sure to reach out to us by early next week! You are guaranteed to find staff in the office during the hours listed below, but you are always welcome to stop by outside those hours-you might catch me! As always, you can reach Nebraska's Junk Jaunt at (308) 346-5151 anytime!

07/04/2025

In Ord tomorrow for the Maker's Market? Make sure to stop by and see me to purchase your advertising or register your sale for Nebraska's Junk Jaunt. I will be in the office from 10 am-2p.m.

A reminder that the Nebraska's Junk Jaunt office will be open tomorrow (Saturday, June 28th) from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. for anyone who needs to purchase advertising or register as a vendor for the Junk Jaunt.
Below, you will see the hours that you will be guaranteed to find Stacie in the Ord office. You are welcome to "pop in" anytime during the day as you might catch her outside of these hours. You can always reach Nebraska's Junk Jaunt at (308) 346-5151.
The deadline to purchase advertising is coming up fast - July 1st.
To register as a vendor - August 1st.
For more information about Nebraska's Junk Jaunt - visit us at www.junkjaunt.com.
The Nebraska's Junk Jaunt - September 26th-28th!

07/02/2025

The staff and Board of Directors met today to further plans for the 22nd Annual Nebraska's Junk Jaunt. Over delicious burgers, fries and a noon special- many decisions were made. Their owner and staff treated us so well! Make sure to stop in for a cold drink or delicious meal! Mark the community of Ashton as a "must visit" community!

06/28/2025

Nebraska's Junk Jaunt is approaching fast! We are 3 days away from reaching our first important deadline. If you would like to purchase an ad in the 2025 Nebraska's Junk Jaunt Shopper Guide-call Stacie at (308) 346-5151 before July 1st!

06/27/2025

A reminder that the Nebraska's Junk Jaunt office will be open tomorrow (Saturday, June 28th) from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. for anyone who needs to purchase advertising or register as a vendor for the Junk Jaunt.
Below, you will see the hours that you will be guaranteed to find Stacie in the Ord office. You are welcome to "pop in" anytime during the day as you might catch her outside of these hours. You can always reach Nebraska's Junk Jaunt at (308) 346-5151.
The deadline to purchase advertising is coming up fast - July 1st.
To register as a vendor - August 1st.
For more information about Nebraska's Junk Jaunt - visit us at www.junkjaunt.com.
The Nebraska's Junk Jaunt - September 26th-28th!

06/25/2025

Nebraska's Junk Jaunt today puts the spotlight on the Amanda Koubek Wehnes - the community coordinator in Arnold! We asked Amanda a few questions about Nebraska's Junk Jaunt and here is what she had to say....
How many years have you been associated with Nebraska's Junk Jaunt?
She said....This will be my 3rd year.
In 3 sentences, tell us about yourself! This can include hobbies, what you do for a living, etc.
She said...I live in Arnold with my husband and our pets. I work for the American Red Cross and am active in my community as a member of the Arnold Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department. I volunteer for the Rialto Theatre, Teammates Mentoring and the Arnold Community Foundation. I am an avid reader and crochet during my free time.
Why do you support Nebraska's Junk Jaunt?
She said...Promoting our small towns is something that I am passionate about. Nebraska's Junk Jaunt allows our small towns to take the spotlight for one weekend a year, not only drawing in visitors looking for that one-of-a-kind treasure, but also supporting our small businesses and the families who own them.
What is your favorite thing about Nebraska's Junk Jaunt?
She said...The people you meet and the stories you hear from visitors is so much fun! Getting to listen to people's life experiences and learning what makes them tick is one of the greatest pleasures in life!
And finally, some words of advice for the 1st time "junker".
She said...Bring a big vehicle-you never know what you will find and you don't want to leave heartbroken because that big item won't fit into your little car!
Thanks Amanda! The community of Arnold and Nebraska's Junk Jaunt are very grateful for your support!

06/25/2025

The Nebraska's Junk Jaunt has been successful for the last 22 years in large part to the great community coordinators who "step up" to not only show their love to Nebraska's Junk Jaunt but also the communities that benefit from this big event. For a community to participate in Nebraska's Junk Jaunt, it is required that they have a community coordinator. After many years of supporting Nebraska's Junk Jaunt, coordinator Kristen is retiring in Scotia after the event this year.
Do you live in Scotia or know someone who lives in the Scotia community who would be a great fit to fill this volunteer role in 2026? If so, have them reach out to Stacie at the Junk Jaunt as this would be a great opportunity to become involved now - to learn the very simple processes that are involved with being a community coordinator!
What does a community coordinator/ad salesperson do? Very simply put....
* The coordinators know their communities! They are the "go to" for vendors who want to set up in the community-helping them with any questions from registration to places to set up their sale!
*If a coordinator should choose to sell shopper guides in their community, they would be responsible for collecting the money and turning it back to Nebraska's Junk Jaunt within 2 weeks of the event. Coordinators are able to keep $1 for each shopper guide that they sell.
*As the community coordinator will know their community well, they are responsible for numbering their town map for the Shopper Guide and ensuring that each vendor in their town receives the official Junk Jaunt signs.
* In many communities the coordinator and the ad salesperson are the same individual. But you can separate this into 2 different volunteer positions. There are benefits as well to be being an ad salesperson for the community.
Scotia is a great community, and we definitely want to keep them involved with Nebraska's Junk Jaunt. We need your help!!!