A $10.00 Exhibitor Registration Fee will apply
for non-members of the association.
Indoor Table Rentals
First Table - $20.00
Additional Tables - $10.00 each
Additional tables subject to availability.
Outdoor Booth Space
10'x10' Outdoor Space - $15.00
10'x20" Outdoor Space - $25.00
Register online or by phone: 785-222-2808.
Exhibitor & Weather Policy
The 2025 Barbed Wire Festival
Continuing the Tradition
Once a year, on the first weekend in May, collectors from across the country gather in La Crosse, Kansas to buy, sell, and trade artifacts from our nation's past; barbed wire. The Barbed Wire Swap and Sell is one of many conventions held across the United States for barbed wire collectors.
The main focus of the convention is the sale and trade of barbed wire samples, however, other items may also be showcased including carved limestone, railroad memorabilia, antiques, and craft items.
The Barbed Wire Festival was originally born out of a small display of barbed wire in the Post Rock Museum. When museum staff observed that a large number of visitors collected the unusual fencing material, they decided to bring those collectors together.
In 1967, La Crosse hosted the first ever convention of barbed wire collectors with 2000 people in attendance giving La Crosse the distinction of being the “Barbed Wire Capital of the World™”.
Today, the Barbed Wire Swap & Sell has evolved into the Barbed Wire Festival, a family-oriented community celebration with events for the entire family. You don't need to be a barbed wire collector to participate. EVERYONE IS WELCOME!
10:00am - 4:30pm - Museum Complex Open
Grass Park Museum Complex3:00pm - Early Set-up for Vendors
City Auditorium5:30pm - Group Dining - El Ranchito Mexican Restaurant(tba)
7:00pm - ABWS Meeting / KBWCA Meeting*Hagemeier Conference Room
Kansas Barbed Wire Museum
10:00am - 4:30pm - Museum Complex Open
Grass Park Museum Complex8:00am - Vendor Exhibits Open
City Auditoriumall day - Exhibition: “Tribute to our Veterans”
Exhibition featuring private collections of military uniforms and equipmentall day - Barbed wire and Collectibles displays
City Auditoriumall day - Trade sessions
City Auditorium11:30 - 1:00 - Lunch Concessions
City Auditorium Food Truck2:00pm - Judging of Displays
Judging forms available at registration desk5:00pm - Auditorium closes
6:30pm - Cookout & Karaoke Night
10:00am - 4:30pm - Museum Complex Open
Grass Park Museum Complex8:00am - Vendor Exhibits openCity Auditoriumall day - Exhibition: “Tribute to our Veterans”
City Auditoriumall day - Trade Session
10:00 - 11:00 - World Champion Splicing contest
11:30 - 1:00 - Lunch Concessions
City Auditorium3:00 p.m. - Antiques & Collectibles Auction
Food Truck
City Auditorium4:00 p.m. - Auditorium closes
Auction fees benefit Kansas Barbed Wire Museum
Display Tear Down6:30pm - “Masquerade Banquet”
Walnut Valley Senior Center
220 Washington, Rush Center
1:00pm - 4:30pm - Museum Complex Open
Grass Park Museum Complex11:00am - Community Church Service & PicnicGrass Park Museum Complex
Non-Denominational Service - School Museum
Free Cookout - Kansas Barbed Wire Museum
Sponsored by: La Crosse United Methodist Church
ALL ARE WELCOME
