Cloudy skies couldn’t put a damper on last year’s Pennsy Trail Art Fair & Musical Festival, hosted by Mental Health Partners of Hancock County since 1998. The free festival features food, live music and dozens of artists selling handmade art and keepsakes. This year’s 25th annual event returns to Courthouse Plaza in downtown Greenfield from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 30.
GREENFIELD — A flock of floating rubber ducks will land in Greenfield when the annual Pennsy Trail Art Fair & Music Festival returns this weekend.
The popular festival, hosted by Mental Health Partners of Hancock County, will be at Courthouse Plaza in downtown Greenfield from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 30.
It’s the 25th year for the annual event, which has been held near the Pennsy Trail since 1998.
The free festival — which takes place the last weekend in July — features a number of local artists selling a diverse mix of handmade items and artwork. It also features a variety of food and live entertainment.
Hall said the family-friendly event is always entertaining, and a great way to shop for unique, handmade items that make for great keepsakes or gifts to be given away throughout the year.
All proceeds benefit Mental Health Partners of Hancock County, which provides behavioral care, financial assistance and other support for those with mental health and substance abuse challenges.
“The event was created to link the arts, the local community and local social service needs,” said the nonprofit’s executive director, Kim Hall.
At last count, Hall had six food vendors, three musical acts and 50 artists registered to participate in this year’s fair, with more calling to sign up this week.
The Ducky Derby Raffle is a popular draw each year, she said.
Guests are invited to purchase a rubber ducky raffle ticket — or several — for their chance at winning a cash prize or a variety of gift baskets. “The top prize is $300 this year, but there’s also a number of themed gift baskets that will be given away,” said Hall, who added that those gifts include everything from Bath & Body Works products to a St. Elmo’s Steakhouse gift certificate.
Hall said last year’s festival was the biggest to date, with more than 5,000 people in attendance and $10,000 raised for Mental Health Partners of Hancock County.
“The vendors also made a lot of money, which is great,” said Hall, who is hoping for just as much success this year.
“We hoped it’s packed again this year, but it always depends on the weather,” she said.
While the forecast so far is looking promising, the event will be held rain or shine. Even a little rain can’t put a damper on the popular Ducky Derby Raffle, said Hall.
Each year, the little yellow ducks are marked with a number corresponding to each raffle ticket sold. They’re then placed in a fountain outside the Hancock County Courthouse Annex right by Courthouse Plaza.
Ducks are drawn out of the fountain starting at 5 p.m.
The cost for raffle tickets is $5 per duck, or three for $10, six for $20, 20 for $50 or 50 for $100.
Brian Smith, also known as the “Wood Pen Guy,” is looking forward to returning to the art fair as a vendor this year.
The New Palestine man sells handcrafted wood pens and always looks forward to chatting with the people he meets at the fair.
“I like it because you get a lot of people who come back year after year. You see a lot of familiar faces,” he said. “For vendors like me it’s about more than just selling items. It’s about seeing everybody come together and the sense of community you experience.”
