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Junkstock founders, friends and vendors pitch in on clean-up ahead of April flea market

Posted at 6:36 PM, Mar 22, 2019
and last updated 2019-03-22 19:39:10-04

WATERLOO, Neb. (KMTV) — Along River Road Drive just next to the Elkhorn River is a sand-covered Junkstock at Sycamore Farms that doubles as a home for the Alexander family.

"The river took over the entire farm and deposited an entire riverbed of sand across the entire place," Jon Alexander said.

But this farm isn't getting down.

The work begins once you get past five ft. tall sand dunes. The basement of Jon and Sarah alexander's house is mostly clean now. It was filled with flood water. Tou can see the mark left behind by the water-level that reached about three ft. high.

Friends, family and even Junkstock vendors have been helping the family clean the property since Monday. The most pressing issue today is at the back of the property.

There's a barn where Junkstock hosts its vendors. Inside, mud completely covers the ground. Back outside, volunteers are cleaning and saving as much equipment and household items as they can.

Further back on the property, a fence acted as a net for items that were washed away by the flood, belonging to the Alexanders and their neighbors. It needs to be cleared before it rains again, which is in the forecast. There's also a flea market scheduled for April

"If this creek doesn't get cleared out, this will back up and we'll have another little flood all over again in my shop," Jon said.

Jon' and his brothers cleared items out of the drainage ditch, luckily saving a Junkstock sign that could be used at next month's event, which is quickly approaching for Sarah. She's the founder this family's business.

"I think we're going to see through the weekend how things are looking," Sarah Alexander said. "When you have 150 vendors, they're coming from all over, and it's their livelihood. That's why we feel it's important to keep the show going."

There's still time ahead of April 26, but plenty of work to do.

"That's what makes you feel like you'll get through it," Sarah said. "The camaraderie and generosity of the people."

Junkstock has reserved the Sarpy County Fairgrounds for it's next flea market that's scheduled April 26-28. The family will decide on the venue in the coming weeks.