Whether you’re looking for handmade home decor, goat soap or simply an entertaining Saturday, check out the fourth annual KidsPlay Arts & Rummage Sale next weekend at the Hancock County Fairgrounds in Greenfield.
Held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, the yearly event raises money for KidsPlay, Inc., a local nonprofit that gives budding young actors in grades 3-8 the chance to perform community theater in Hancock County.
The annual rummage sale has become a popular draw for local rummage sale fans and theater families, who know there’s always something unique to be found at the festive fundraiser.
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With vendor booths, concessions and live entertainment throughout the day, the $1 admission fee might just be the hottest ticket in town.
“It is a truly unique experience,” said Ali Kern, who’s in charge of lining up this year’s entertainment.
“It’s an absolute blast to see all of the vendors and their goods. Of course I’m a little biased, but I find the entertainment adds to the environment and gives shoppers a chance to see local talent,” she said.
This year’s lineup of local acts includes a saxophonist, a harp and violin duo, vocalists and cloggers.
To the backdrop of performances throughout the day, guests can peruse an eclectic mix of vendor booths offering everything from antique heirlooms to homemade bath bombs.
Karoline Gantt, her husband Jason and their four kids have reserved a booth to sell a variety of items as a multi-faceted family fundraiser. Gantt is selling art pieces she makes from old hymnals. One of her daughters is selling handcrafted Harry Potter wands. And her son is selling venison jerky he made himself. The family is also selling goat soap to raise money for a mission trip through their local church.
Gantt’s parents have reserved a booth next to theirs to sell jewelry they make from recycled silverware.
While only one of Gannt’s kids, 11-year-old Abbagail, performs with KidsPlay, the whole family sees the value in raising funds and having fun at the annual rummage sale.
“It’s a very fun environment because there’s entertainment going on as well as wide variety of booths. I was impressed with what was there, Gantt said. “There were tables of yard sale type items, which is blast to look through, but also a ton of talented people who brought crafts as well as a lot of baked goods.”
She thinks the quality of the rummage sale speaks to the quality of the KidsPlay program. “I feel everything KidsPlay does is just done so well. The quality of the kids productions is an amazing thing for our somewhat small community,” she said.
“You don’t usually find this type of program outside of Indianapolis, and you typically have to pay money to participate. I feel very privileged for my daughter to be a part of it,” she said.
The rummage sale is the nonprofit acting troupe’s only fundraiser of the year.
The heated indoor event is a great way to spend a chilly winter afternoon, said KidsPlay board member Julia Wickard.
All money raised goes to KidsPlay, Inc., which Wickard unabashedly says produces “the best youth theater in the country.”
Even those unfamiliar with children’s theater would be impressed by the local production company, she said. “KidsPlay is a machine; from the kids who comprise the cast to the parents who give their time and energy into investing in their children to not be afraid to ‘be on stage’ and to speak in front of a large audience,” said Wickard, who has watched her own children Jordyn, 17, and Jacob, 13, take the stage in KidsPlay productions.
Shows are held at the H.J. Ricks Centre for the Arts in downtown Greenfield.
“I attribute KidsPlay’s early influence on my own children’s abilities to speak fluently and with confidence in front of people, and to be able to have one-on-one conversations. I cannot say enough great things about this gem in Hancock County,” she said.
Kern, a board member for CrazyLake Acting Company, a local adult acting troupe (also led by Schaefer), agrees.
“KidsPlay is a worthy cause because it provides a completely free, fun and safe place for children to learn the various aspects of acting and theater,” she said. “KidsPlay does help mold young actors, but it also teaches skills that are transferable and valuable in their everyday lives.”
Whether they have a loved one up on stage or not, Wickard encourages everyone to check out a KidsPlay production sometime. “It’s an incredible experience,” she said.
The youth troupe’s next production is “Over My Dead Body,” at the Ricks Centre, at 122 W. Main St. in Greenfield, with performances at 7 p.m. April 17-18 and 2 p.m. April 19.
Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at the door or in advance at Hometown Comics, at 1040 N. State St. in Greenfield. Visit KidsPlay’s Facebook page for more details.
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4th annual Arts & Rummage Sale benefiting KidsPlay Inc.
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 22
Hancock County Fairgrounds 4-H building, 620 Apple St., Greenfield
$1 admission
Entertainment lineup:
9 a.m. – Angela Mickler and Nancy Nickels Harp/Violin Duo
10 a.m. — Musicality Arts vocalists
11 a.m. — CrazyLake Singers
1 p.m. — Jerry Bell- Saxophone
2 p.m. — Hearts Ablaze cloggers
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