HANCOCK COUNTY — The Hancock County Fairgrounds will be filled with dancing, singing and artistic displays along with dozens of vendors at the end of the month.
The second annual Arts & Rummage sale takes place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, to benefit KidsPlay Inc. Children’s Theatre, a community performing arts company.
KidsPlay, a nonprofit organization, stays afloat with assistance from ticket sales, fundraisers like the Arts & Rummage Sale and an occasional grant from the Hancock County Community Foundation, so organizers say they are hoping for a large turnout.
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Last year, they raised nearly $1,000 for KidsPlay. That’s a great deal of money for the small theatrical company that provides up-and-coming young artists a chance to hone their skills through numerous productions throughout the year, organizers said.
Organizers putting on the Arts & Rummage Sale had about 45 vendors participate last year and are hoping for just as many the second time around.
So far, more than 90 percent of last year’s vendors have confirmed they’d like to be part of the day, said Chris Vehorn, KidsPlay board member.
From trade vendors like Pampered Chef and Premier to garage and flea-market displays, there’s something for everyone, organizers said.
In addition to the myriad of items for sale, there will be performances from area dance and singing groups throughout the day to entertain shoppers.
Dana Hart of Dance East Ballet Academy will bring 14 dancers to showcase their talents throughout the day.
They’ll perform competition dances as well as other company pieces they are working on.
Hart knows how important it is for performing arts groups to support each other. She’s looking forward to the shoppers getting the chance to watch her dancers exhibit their dancing expertise.
“This gives us a great chance to get out, get some experience, some exposure and do what we do and support KidsPlay,” Hart said.
Organizers are striving to make it a fun, unique environment with the entertainment coupled with the shopping opportunity.
Hart of Greenfield said she is thrilled to see support for performing arts growing in the area and is hopeful local groups will host more collaborative events for the arts in the future, she said.
The Arts & Rummage Sale attracted about 500 people last year with all the proceeds going to cover KidsPlay’s rental fees and royalty costs of productions. The group also uses the money to help fund a scholarship for county high school students who plan to attend college to study the arts.
The community has always been a strong supporter of the performing arts, Vehorn said.
“We have a lot of kids who are very interested in music and theater and those types of things, and this is a good way to support that,” Vehorn said.
Organizers will have concessions open throughout the day, and they’re hoping people will come in and shop and hang around the see the groups perform.
Anyone wishing to take part in the Arts & Rummage sale as a vendor or as a performing group, please contact the group at 317-477-2787.
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Second Annual Arts & Rummage Sale to benefit KidsPlay.
When: Saturday, Jan. 28
Where: Hancock County Fair Grounds, 620 N. Apple St.
Time: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Open free to the public. Entertainment from county arts groups will be performing throughout the day.
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