The Trenton Punk Rock Flea Market has announced that as of January 6, it would be known as the New Jersey Punk Rock Flea Market, a change intended to reflect its growth and expanded reach across the Garden State and beyond.
What began as a grassroots movement in Trenton in 2013 has blossomed into a nationwide phenomenon that has inspired dozens of other punk rock flea markets to develop throughout the country. While the event’s heart and soul remain deeply rooted in Trenton, the updated name better represents its evolution into a convention that now hosts expos in cities throughout New Jersey including Edison (at the New Jersey Convention and Expo Center) as well as another venue to be announced later this year.
The NJPRFM looks to bring a signature mix of alternative and DIY culture, the arts, unique vendors, food trucks, live tattooing and piercing, and more to a broader audience.
Its origins trace back to the vision of Joseph Kuzemka, a driving force in Trenton’s cultural renaissance who was a founding member and served as the executive producer of Art All Night Trenton for 15 years.
Throughout the years, Kuzemka has created or managed many other events, including the Capital City Food Truck Battle, Activate Trenton! Live Music Series, Levitt AMP Trenton Music Series, and PorkChop Express Booking, which focused on bringing national and local talent to Trenton’s DIY music venues. Darkside New Jersey Art & Oddities Market, founded in November 2024, is also a product of Kuzemka and team.
“The decision to rebrand was a long but natural progression for us,” said Kuzemka. “I grew up in Trenton and I live in Trenton. I am a wildly proud Trentonian, and while we’ll always be proud of our Trenton roots, where we got our start, our journey over the past 12 years has taken us far beyond the city limits, now with events all over the State of New Jersey as well as the occasional event in Pennsylvania. This new name reflects our commitment to DIY culture, arts, food, and music across the entire state of New Jersey. We’re thrilled to see what the future holds.”
The NJPRFM is planning a series of events throughout New Jersey in 2025, starting with its annual Spring Fling expo, set to feature hundreds of makers from across the country, dozens of food trucks, celebrity guests, and more at the Cure Insurance Arena in Trenton on April 12 and 13, 2025.
That will be followed by several events in Edison, and a new venue that is expected to be announced soon.
