Totally Rad Vintage Fest Comes to Minneapolis
The Totally Rad Vintage Fest made its anticipated return to the Twin Cities
By Lennon Gray with art by Sana Ikramuddin
The Totally Rad Vintage Fest made its return to Minneapolis on Feb. 11th, at the Minneapolis Convention Center! Over 150 vendors gathered at this large and vibrant event, selling everything from vintage clothing, jewelry, video games, to toys, and more. The fest boasts itself as the largest 80s, 90s, and Y2K vintage event.
The fest began in October 2020, when Sarah Emerson and her partner Andy at Green Thread Vintage partnered with other vintage vendors to create a large event for their communities to shop vintage clothing. The fest purposely is not affiliated with production companies or investors of any kind, holding true to its roots as a community-oriented event.
Attendees were able to explore the vast convention center and its endless offerings, including bargain bins with clothing under $10, all the way up to rare, one-of-a-kind vintage collectibles. This event was a gold-mine for anyone in love with vintage clothing and thrifting as well as those who have a passion for nostalgia and memorabilia.
I attended the fest with a friend for around two hours, and the venue was overflowing with stylish attendees. It was easy to feel nervous, look down at my own outfit, and question my style. But, my fears subsided when my friend and I interacted with other attendees and found ourselves easily embraced by the community.
Once my friend and I exited the queue and entered the venue, we were amazed with how large the event actually was. There were endless racks to choose from, which felt a bit overwhelming, but also gave us plenty of areas to explore. I ended up purchasing an oversized vintage denim jacket after looking for the perfect one for months. My friend ended up purchasing a few vintage rings, to add to her collection. Overall, it was a successful trip. If you can, try going next year!