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3rd annual event in 2026
Rethink, Reuse, Repair Fair
Wasena Park
From Tinkerers to Rethinkers, Rethink Reuse Repair Fair 2025 on June 21 brought 800 people to tap the ingenuity of vendors who specialize in repairing and reusing objects.
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Way to go, Roanoke Valley! We diverted lots of waste from the landfill by repairing, reusing and recycling—but rethinking started it all.
Extending the lifespans of our possessions reduces waste as well as environmental impacts. So before you throw an object away... rethink, reuse, repair! Repair Fair vendors will taught visitors how!​
The vendors helped repair materials onsite or provided the contacts and resources for future repair services. There also were demonstrations so people could learn how to repair and upcycle things on their own.
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Additional attractions included food trucks and a Kids Tent with Makedo cardboard construction materials.
The Rescue Mission hosted a Take It or Leave It Tent. Please follow their guidelines for donating clothing and household items. The link to the guidelines is under "Residential Pickup."
What to Bring: Ideas, questions, and ...
Items for Repair
Bicycles
Shoes
Jewelry*
Clothing, pillows, blankets, curtains, etc.
Musical instruments
Items for Reuse
Knives for sharpening*
Eyeglasses to help others
Items with life left for Take It Or Leave It Tent​
Items for Recycling
Glass
All plastics (#1-#7, including Styrofoam)
Electronics (working or not)
Small appliances & other e-waste
* Cash - Some vendors, including food vendors, will offer merchandise and services for a fee. Bring just in case.
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Urban Reblok'd will be there to take all of your clean #3-#7 plastics, Styrofoam, broken small appliances, and e-waste to be repurposed into building materials and other products.
Services that keep surroundings looking fresh and clean:
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Residential & Commercial Cleaning, including Airbnbs
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Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning
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Exterior Window & Pressure Washing
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Gutter Cleaning
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Lawncare Services
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Junk Disposal & Recycle Collection
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Mobile Detailing
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Handyman Services
Delicia's Gourmet Ice is a healthy alternative to traditional summertime frozen treats. Several flavors will be available for purchase from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Bring your glass for recycling! Chaos Corner repurposes unwanted items and uses them in smash and paint splatter rooms. These dynamic and interactive settings create empowering solo adventures or unforgettable group experiences. And now the Chaos Corner mobile unit can bring the party to you.
Slappin’ vegan food made with love! No GMO’s and no soy! One-stop vegan shop with holistic services, good food, and good vibes.
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Make a positive difference. Bring your unwanted and usable eyeglasses to help someone see better. A collection box for eyeglasses will be onsite. The Lions Club also will be giving out free pairs of sunglasses!
Nature's Trade Recycling will be accepting unwanted, outdated, and broken electronics, along with hard-to-recycle plastics (#3-#7), including expanded polystyrene (Styrofoam); and glass.
Recycling responsibly is Nature's Trade Recycling's mission. Services include weekly recycling pickup and junk removal.
Better Building Works offers comprehensive, third party energy audits (to help people reduce their energy and water use) while also improving indoor air quality and harnessing tax credits.
Too Many Books
Located in Grandin Village, this five-star seller offers stacks of hardcover and paperback books.
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James Breakell
Repair
If you break it, chances are you don't have to buy a new one. If James Breakell can't fix it, he can point you in the right direction.
James is the go-to guy for repairing stuff. Come see him for onsite repairs and guidance on bicycles, jewelry, car stuff, and more.
Take a look at quilts and handbags made of beloved T-shirts.
Dragon Bite Books & Crafts is planning to host a workshop on making quilts and handbags from T-shirts.
A hybrid secondhand bookshop and creative reuse center in Roanoke Dragon Bite Books & Crafts encourages eco-consciousness, self-exploration, artistic play, and new experiences. It also highlights books that represent diverse perspectives of those who have been historically marginalized and that might be buried or unavailable in other shops.
Make Roanoke will conduct a bike maintenance workshop, and do onsite shoe repair and minor musical instrument repair. If they can't fix it, they will provide guidance on where/how it can be fixed.
MAKE Roanoke is a non-profit makerspace, run entirely by volunteers. It features a wood shop, metal shop, fiber arts studio, 3D printing, laser cutting, and electronics lab.
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Get ready to take an e-bike for a test drive!
RMA is your one stop for equipping your next outdoor adventure on land and water. Rentals, guides, and the opportunity to give new life to gear by selling it on consignment are available.
Tidy is ensuring that all bases are covered with a well-outfitted portable restroom, that includes a handwashing station and a toilet.
Windows and doors are created from recycled wood. Also able to set up free in-home consultations for a price for new windows and doors.
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Founded in 2008, Baseline Solar experts design systems to meet energy goals, educate on how solar technology works, and help maximize available incentives.
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These specialists in leather, plastic and vinyl repair keep all kinds of items out of landfills. The completely mobile husband-and-wife team also does light upholstery, such as bar stools, restaurant booths, and dining room chairs, saving customers time and money.
Bring your broken jewelry for repair!
Passionate about creating and designing products, Mama Menh's uses a variety of beautiful, natural materials including copper, stone, wood, and leather.
Peyton's Possibilities
This craftsman creates beautiful new possibilities for wood and other reclaimed materials.
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An affordable alternative to regular retail shopping as well as a source of free clothing for qualifying families in need. Directly benefits the work of the Rescue Mission Ministries.
3D-printed crafts: keychains; stickers; sun-and-moon, glow-in-dark dragons, bats and cats; butterfly hair pins; fidget bats; bobble heads; dragon spinners; and more! The business is planning on recycling its plastic filament and using a "pultrusion" device for recycling PetG Bottles into usable filament and rope.
A&N Whimsical Wonders
A mother-daughter duo that repurposes items into new wonders. Among the featured items: cork birdhouses, cork trivet trays, soda tab purses, paper flowers, and beaded bookmarks.
Nightfall Handmade
Bring beloved items made of fabric and in need of repair, such as clothes and homeware, like pillows and blankets. Sewing services will be provided.
Nightfall Handmade makes and sells goods made of reclaimed materials, like blue jeans and T-shirts. Featured merchandise at Repair Fair includes: hanging towels, keychains, dog bandanas, and bags.
Take It or Leave It
​Bring unwanted clothing and household items with some life left in them for the "Take It or Leave It" Tent. Items under the tent will be free for the taking. Items not rehomed by the end of the day will go to the Rescue Mission. Donated items should follow the Rescue Mission's Donation Acceptance Guidelines. The link to the guidelines is in the "Residential Pickup" section.
This is a family-friendly event, and kids will have their own tent where they can create using tools for cardboard construction.
Roanoke City's Office of Sustainability and Climate Resiliency
Find out more about the City of Roanoke's climate goals and action plan.
Municipalities have a responsibility to protect their natural resources, local economy, and human health and provide the same opportunities and quality of life for future generations. Rather than wait until climate change gets worse, Roanoke's Office of Sustainability and Climate Resilience is taking ownership of the work that must be done to avoid climate disaster late this century.
Figuring It Out
Young minds are eager to learn about rethink-remake concepts.
Check out the cool fabric wares of The Sandy Butler, who is selling merchandise alongside Dragon Bite Books & Crafts, where the products were sourced. Stop by for a hand-sewing workshop.
The Sandy Butler reuses and upcycles second-hand material into new wares.
The Sandy Butler also will be offering minor clothing and jewelry repair. Among the services: repair holes in pants and ripped seams, and jewelry hardware replacement (necklace clasps, earring backings).
Thank you to our 2025 sponsors
Grant support for this event is provided by:
Additional support is made possible by:
