A turntable
Reminder Publishing file photo
NORTHAMPTON — The opportunity to hunt for classic vinyl records and unique vintage clothing returns to the city on Sunday, Nov. 15, in the fourth edition of the Downtown Market Vintage & Vinyl.
According to organizers, the event will once again bring plenty of options for record and vintage lovers of all ages to explore.
The fall edition will feature two rooms and two floors inside the arts and community complex at 33 Hawley St., with thousands of records and tons of vintage for sale from over 30 local and regional dealers, plus a full lineup of vinyl DJs spinning records live throughout the day.
“It’s a great place to learn about more music and find out about things just by talking to people. We have DJs spinning all day long so you might hear something where you’re like, ’I’ve got to find out about what I just heard,’ and sometimes you can even buy that record from the person, or another dealer will have it,” event organizer Pete McQuillan, also known as DJ Quills, told Reminder Publishing. “The discovery is a big thing, the exploration of different sounds, and you can definitely choose your own adventure there.”
The event is $5 for early admission from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Early admission also includes a ticket for a noon raffle drawing, with prizes including gift cards from local businesses like Electric Eye Records in Florence and Spin That Records in Springfield, as well as concert tickets from the Iron Horse and the Secret Planet Concert Series.
The event is free to enter from noon to 4 p.m., and free parking is available in the 33 Hawley Lot.
McQuillan explained that this event started in 2024 to fill the gap left by a previous vinyl and vintage outdoor fair that the Northampton Arts Council ran from 2014 to 2018. The event eventually faded, but looking to bring back that same energy, Quills — an assistant producer with the Northampton Arts Council — saw an opportunity to organize and revive the unique day for vinyl lovers and collectors, and vintage shoppers.
“We wanted to put a cool event in there that would get people in the space. I think it’s been really good for the Center for the Arts,” he added, saying the return of this type of event was a perfect match for the 33 Hawley building following its final renovation work in early 2024.
McQuillan said the community is encouraged to come out to score new styles and sounds, connect with folks in the vintage and vinyl community and shop sustainably.
“It’s a great vibe at the market. It’s a great addition to town, and I think it’s just a fun thing to have a lot of pop-up events. It’s exciting for people, and it brings people together in a space who might be connected, but having them all in the same place for a day really helps draw more connections and solidify ones that are already there,” McQuillan said. “And there are the elements of why we value secondhand records and clothing and the sustainability and reusing of things. I think, especially since the pandemic, thrifting and vintage and records have really grown a lot [in popularity] over the last five years.”
Featured vendors will include Leadmine Vinyl, Studebaker Hawk, Dr. Vinyl PhD., Weirdo Wardrobe Vintage, Valley Finds 413, Wishbone Vintage, Sleepy Jean Records, Tag Snapper Vintage, Feeding Tuvbe Records, Hellmouth Used Goods, Design Hive Vintage, Sweet Side Records, Seasonal Work, Gladsome Records and many more.
The Vinyl DJs lineup will feature DJ REC, Eddie Twizzler, Selector Thomas, Belltown DJs, DJ Grailz, Selector Ed and more.
“It’s cool because we have a variety of dealers coming from all over the region across the Northeast, and they’re bringing different connections and music styles together. Different vendors might specialize in different genres or music movements or eras, and you also get people coming through who have bought collections,” McQuillan said. “There’s so much to dig through, and the digging part is one of the most exciting parts for people finding vintage.”
McQuillan expressed gratitude for the growth of vintage and record shops in the Pioneer Valley. He said an event like the Downtown Market is a great way to create a hub that showcases the region’s unique identity.
For more information on this year’s Downtown Market Vintage & Vinyl fair, visit Northampton.live/events/downtown-market-vintage-vinyl-3.
