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!