Vintage to Retro: A Retro Rodeo market

Revived Thrift is a newly founded small business that takes thrifted items and refurbishes them to their best state. (Malachi Lefurgey/AQ)

On Sept. 27, Retro Rodeo made its second appearance at the Charlotte Street Art Centre, hosting vendors from across the Maritimes. 

Retro Rodeo is a market that hosts creative vendors, showcasing original art, clothes, prints, trinkets and of course, revived thrift items. 

Randy MacFarlane and Sylvain Pitre first started as event coordinators, hosting weddings and local events in Fredericton.  

It wasn't until after COVID-19 and last-minute Christmas shopping that the idea for reviving vintage items came to their minds. 

“It happened when I couldn't find anything for my mother and sister for Christmas and I saw some [vintage] plates,” said MacFarlane.  

Vintage markets were far from MacFarlane’s mind until a close friend who runs The Periwinkle House invited them to join her in one of her markets.  

“We joined her and I started doing [vintage] lamps,” said MacFarlane. “I take them completely apart, rewire them and clean them.”  

The lamps rapidly evolved to include disco items, quickly becoming their most sought-after item in the market. 

After a few markets joined with Periwinkle House, MacFarlane and Pitre started running it by themselves.

“It flourished from there,” said MacFarlane. “We wanted to take over and then we switched the name to the ‘Retro Rodeo.’"

Retro Rodeo has been going strong since the spring of this year. These markets will continue to be based in Fredericton.  

Another factor of hosting markets is attracting vendors to take part in it.  

Most of the vendors are friends of MacFarlane and Pitre, building those last long friendships through art and refurbished vintage items.  

“Some of [the vendors] we seek out in other markets and see if they have the right vibe for the market that we’re doing,” said MacFarlane.  

MacFarlane’s goal is to create a creator community, fostering a space for the many creative minds that circle Fredericton.  

“We love art and vintage stuff and it's great to get out and meet people in [that] community,” said Pitre.  

Jesse Coffin, a market attendee, said the Retro Market is a great way to engage in the art culture here in Fredericton.

“I bought a mini art print from Periwinkle house and it's very cute and hangs on my kitchen wall,” said Coffin. “I will definitely go again.”  

This will be the last market for the fall but MacFarlane and Pitre are looking forward to attracting more vendors and people to continue their Retro Rodeo markets in the spring and summer.