Ohio Vintage Fest returns to Columbus Saturday with more than 60 vendors

From vintage Ohio State clothing to 1990s styles, Ohio Vintage Fest is bringing vendors and their fashionable collections to Columbus Saturday.? ?

More than 60 vendors will gather at the Ohio Expo Center & State Fairgrounds — located at 717 E. 17th Ave. — from noon to 5 p.m., with tickets available for $5, according to the Ohio Vintage Fest website. Returning vendor Colin Jones said the event will feature curated booths offering a variety of styles, including baby tees, Y2K clothing, T-shirts, grunge pieces, sweaters and vintage Ohio State gear.

“It’s the original vintage clothing event in Ohio,” said Sam Brann, owner of Ohio Vintage Fest. “There’s a lot like it, but none of them are the original.”?

Brann said the event gives shoppers the opportunity to find unique pieces for their closets that they may not find elsewhere.

The event is expected to have a strong Ohio State presence, with the fairgrounds located about 10 minutes from campus. Brann said Columbus has consistently been a strong market for the festival because of its proximity to Ohio State — its large target audience.?

Jones will showcase his brand Juvenilevtg, which sells vintage clothing, along with a selection of Ohio State merchandise, shirts, jackets and sweaters. The collection focuses primarily on styles from the 1990s and early 2000s, and Jones said he is looking forward to connecting with Ohio State students.

“It’s a really big convention center,” Jones said. “There’s so much to see, and you’re going to end up spending a little more than you anticipated.”

Higher-value items at the festival are expected to cost $30 to $40, while most t-shirts will range from $20 to $30, Jones said.

For first-time shoppers, Jones recommends asking vendors where certain items are located and being open to negotiating prices.

“I think a good thing people should do that they may make a mistake on is negotiate,” Jones said. “A lot of the vendors are nice people who are willing to negotiate.”?

Jones also encouraged shoppers to make their way to the back of the event, where vendors will have additional pieces that shoppers might otherwise miss.

Jennifer Bernzweig, owner of Akron Antiques, is another vendor at the event bringing jewelry from a variety of eras, ranging from Victorian pieces to styles from the 2000s.?

“I like to bring lots of affordable price points because I think it’s just more fun,” Bernzweig said.

Bernzweig said most of her jewelry will be priced between $5 and $10, with select pieces costing more than $100.

“I truly think that hunting for vintage and antique jewelry should be fun and I love making sure that everyone can find something unique at every price point,” Bernzweig said.

Bernzweig said she has seen a rise in popularity for Victorian and turn-of-the-century pieces and expects brooches to be among her quickest-selling items at the event.

Brann said vintage clothing has maintained a strong following because it is more sustainable and affordable, while modern clothing is often inspired by vintage styles.

Ohio Vintage Fest began in a 10,000-square-foot room in Columbus and has expanded to cities including Akron, Youngstown, Dayton, Toledo, Painesville, Cincinnati, Massillon, Lima and Mansfield, Brann said.

“No matter where we go, there’s a love for vintage clothing,” Brann said.

Saturday’s event will be Ohio Vintage Fest’s final Columbus event of the year.