Vintage in the Village Set to Take Over Downtown Tipp City

Vintage in the Village Featured on News Makers PodcastBy Greg Enslen Vintage in the Village Set to Take Over Downtown Tipp CityTIPP CITY — One of Tipp City’s signature summer events, Vintage in the Village, is back and ready to transform downtown into a bustling marketplace of antiques, art, and small-town fun on Saturday, June 14, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The annual festival, now in its third decade, promises a day full of unique finds, food trucks, and family-friendly entertainment—all while supporting the ongoing beautification of Tipp City’s historic core. On the latest episode of the News Maker’s podcast, presented by the Tippecanoe Gazette, host Greg Enslen sat down with event chairs Chelsea and Andi and Downtown Tipp City Partnership director Tasha Weaver to discuss what residents and visitors can expect from this year’s celebration. This year’s event marks a significant transition as long-time event chair Andi passes the torch to Chelsea, a familiar face from Midwest Memories and a passionate advocate for Tipp’s vintage scene. “I’m excited to run it and pass it along at the same time,” Andi shared. Chelsea, who will be leading the event for the first time, brings fresh energy and deep connections to the local antiques community. “She knows a lot of people in the industry,” Andi said, highlighting the event’s tradition of evolving leadership to keep the festival vibrant and relevant. What’s New and What’s ClassicWhile the core of Vintage in the Village remains unchanged—an open-air market with vendors lining Main Street—Chelsea is taking a year to learn the ropes before making any big changes. “I want to learn that before I can figure out what to change about anything, but I feel like it’s been pretty smooth so far,” she said. The event typically draws thousands of visitors and dozens of vendors from Tipp City and beyond, with a focus on high-quality, curated booths. “My goal was to get it to 100 quality vendors,” Andi noted, emphasizing the importance of attracting both local and regional talent to keep the event fresh. Vendors, Food, and FunThis year, attendees can expect around 60 to 70 vendors, including downtown merchants who bring their wares out onto the sidewalks for a festive “sidewalk sale” atmosphere. Highlights include the Tippecanoe Library’s used book sale, the soap shop’s popular “brown bag” deals, and a strong showing from Midwest Memories’ antique dealers. Food options abound, with favorites like Sip and Smash serving up smash burgers and inventive lemonades, alongside wild banana smoothies, Kona Ice, Sweet Pea popsicles, and more. “You will not be hot this year—we have lots of refreshments,” organizers promised, reflecting on last year’s heat and ensuring plenty of cold treats for all. Organizers stressed that parking remains plentiful, with most side streets open and ample public lots available. “If you were going to a mall, you would be parking farther away than you would for this event,” organizers said, addressing a common misconception about downtown parking. Supporting Downtown’s FutureProceeds from Vintage in the Village benefit the Downtown Partnership’s facade improvement program, which helps building and business owners restore and enhance the historic charm of Tipp City’s downtown. “It’s something that benefits the entire downtown,” organizers said, noting that any downtown building or business owner can apply for grant funds from the program. Rain or Shine—and a Family-Friendly PlaylistThe event is rain or shine. “Our vendors all bring tents, and you can hunker down in the buildings and visit our merchants downtown,” Andi explained in the case of inclement weather. And this year’s event will feature a curated “family fun” playlist heavy on classic rock and summer favorites, curated to keep the atmosphere lively and welcoming for all ages. Making a Weekend of ItWith other vintage and antique events happening nearby the same weekend, organizers hope visitors will make a “tour” of Miami County’s summer festivals. “We’re hoping people make a weekend of it instead of avoiding it and only going to one thing,” Chelsea said, inviting everyone to experience the best of Tipp City and its neighboring towns. For updates, follow @tippvintageinthevillage and @downtowntippcity on Instagram. To hear more about the planning and passion behind Vintage in the Village, you can listen to the full episode of the News Makers podcast wherever you get your podcasts. Thanks for tuning in! The News Makers podcast is a presentation of the Tippecanoe Gazette. Find more free episodes of the podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. For more information or to subscribe to the newspaper, visit www.tippgazette.com. Talk soon!