Local vendors showcase creativity, community at Burg Fest

Published 1:49 am Tuesday, October 13, 2026

WARRENSBURG — Warrensburg’s annual Burg Fest brought together local vendors, small-business owners, and community members for a weekend of shopping, creativity and connection.

Vendors offered a variety of products, including custom apparel, handmade crafts, crochet items, clothing, accessories and home décor, allowing festivalgoers to discover unique products while supporting local businesses.

Among the vendors was Kathy Watson, owner of Mama K Designs, a business specializing in custom apparel and personalized products. Watson said her company offers a custom shirt bar and a custom cut bar, with products designed for customers of all ages.

“We range from babies up to adults,” Watson said. “You know, grandmas and grandpas. We keep a variety for everybody.”

A self-proclaimed Kansas City Chiefs fan, Watson said her favorite products to sell are her Chiefs-themed designs. Although this was her first year participating in Burg Fest, she said she enjoyed meeting visitors and experiencing the welcoming atmosphere.

“It’s been a lot of interesting people to meet and talk to,” Watson said. “Everybody’s been so happy, and it’s just a great community.

Lori Nannen, owner of Crafts by Two Books Girls, also participated in the festival. Nannen said her sister inspired her to begin crafting after retirement, eventually leading to the creation of their business. Based in Salisbury, Missouri, approximately 50 miles north of Columbia, the business offers a variety of handmade products.

Nannen said this was the company’s second year at Burg Fest and that interacting with customers remained one of her favorite parts of the event.

“The people, really,” Nannen said. “I mean, they’re friendly, they’re helpful.”

For Erin Hais, owner of Equals Three Designs, Burg Fest has become a familiar event, and this year marked the company’s fourth year participating. The business sells crochet items, pixel art, scrunchies, and anime figures and plush toys.

Hais said the business began with handmade plush whales, which eventually led to additional products and opportunities to expand the company.

“I used to make these little plush whales. They’re called huggy whales,” Hais said. “I got an order for that one, and then eventually we got into the plush toys to put that on their Etsy shop, and then it just exploded from there.”

Hais said meeting customers and connecting with people who share similar interests make the festival worthwhile. The business is designed to appeal to anyone who appreciates handmade and playful products.

“Honestly, meeting everyone and having the nerd house,” Hais said when asked about her favorite part of Burg Fest.

Jennie Cross, owner of Revival Clothing and Decor, used the festival to introduce visitors to her business and its downtown storefront. The store offers women’s clothing, shoes, accessories, new and vintage décor, books, vinyl records, candles, lotions, and other gifts. Some clothing styles range from small to 4X.

Cross, a graduate of the University of Central Missouri’s fashion department, said she had always wanted to own a store. After spending approximately a decade working in health care, she began Revival Clothing and Decor as a creative outlet.

“I really felt the need to have some type of creative outlet, and so I started Revival Clothing and Decor,” Cross said.

The business initially operated from her dining room table, with Cross planning to sell products through pop-up events and local festivals. After recognizing an opportunity in the Warrensburg community, she decided to expand the business into a storefront.

Cross said community support played an important role in helping her develop the business and identify what customers wanted. Revival Clothing and Decor opened in 2023 and has since moved through several downtown locations before settling into its current space following a renovation in July 2026.

This year marked Cross’s third Burg Fest appearance, following participation in 2024 and 2025. Setting up outside the store allowed visitors to explore the festival while also visiting the storefront.

Cross said one of the event’s greatest benefits is its ability to bring together people who might not regularly visit downtown Warrensburg.

“Burg Fest really allows everyone from all walks of life to come, and not just from the Warrensburg community, but the greater community as well,” Cross said.

For the participating vendors, Burg Fest offered more than an opportunity to sell products. It provided a chance to introduce their businesses, build relationships with customers and celebrate the creativity of local entrepreneurs.

Through handmade goods, personalized products and distinctive retail offerings, vendors demonstrated the variety of small businesses contributing to Warrensburg’s local economy and community culture.