April 9, 2025

This paid event listing is sponsored by Junkin’ Market Days.

Kerry Bamsey set out to bring a shopping experience she enjoyed in other states to Sioux Falls — and ended up becoming a business owner.

Bamsey, the founder of Junkin’ Market Days, originally launched a vendor sale here in 2021 after enjoying similar events in Nebraska and Minnesota.

“I realized I enjoyed shopping at the booths to find unique, one-of-a-kind products and talking with the maker about their product,” she said. “I witnessed the collaboration between local makers and the community, and I wanted to bring the experience to the Dakotas.”

This week, she will mark her 10th show in the city at the W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds. It runs from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Shoppers can explore a wide variety of items, including shabby-chic home decor, rustic furniture, trendy boutique clothing, handmade jewelry, outdoor spring decor and gourmet foods such as coffeecake, loose-leaf tea, kettle corn, dips and more. Plus, enjoy delicious food from food trucks while supporting small businesses.

It has come a long way from the first show, where her goal was just to have enough makers and customers to cover event fees.

“To my surprise, I had over 80 makers participate and over 2,000 customers attend the event. I then expanded to North Dakota,” she said.

“While holding events, I would interact with several customers and female makers. I was approached by women asking if I could teach them how to hold an event in their city.”

In 2022, she started a territory ownership program for others like herself to begin hosting events.

“Through personalized coaching, I empower women to become entrepreneurs, create financial freedom and use their creativity,” Bamsey said.

“We are female-owned and -operated and host weekend long events in several states: Arkansas, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. We come alongside the female maker community and support their small businesses, providing a platform and visibility to share their products.”

As the event has grown, makers from Sioux Falls have been able to sell outside of town as part of the broader Junkin’ Market Days.

“Our event gives them an opportunity to get in front of a new customer base, plus the vendors that attend the Sioux Falls event come from a six-state region,” Bamsey said.

Follow Junkin’ Market Days on Facebook and Instagram for a sneak peek of the products awaiting you this weekend. For more info, visit junkinmarketdays.com. Purchase tickets online today, and use the discount code “BOGO” for a buy one, get one free admission.