Friends offering spots for covered bridge

Thursday, September 3, 2009

With the annual covered bridge festival fast approaching, spots for vendors are being snatched up. The Friends of the Park Russellville (FOPR) are offering sites to interested vendors at the Bainbridge Community Center.

"We have space for over 100 vendors in the outside area of the center," said Dianna Gorrell, president and events coordinator for FOPR.

Spots are 10 feet by 10 feet and cost $100 for the run of the festival, beginning Oct. 9 and ending on the 18th. A 25 percent discount is available for vendors who reserve three or more spots.

Non-profit groups can set up for free with a copy of their 501 C determination. Vendors are required to be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. There are no food booth locations available.

A weekend special is available for vendors who can only set up on Saturday and Sunday on both weekends of the festival. They can rent space for $10 per day.

The Community Center is located on U.S. 36, which is considered a main thoroughfare for festival goers in Mansfield, Rockville and Bridgeton.

Electricity is available for $25.

The fall festival will replace the organization's annual Blast from the Past Festival, which has had disappointing results the past two years.

All proceeds will benefit the nonprofit organization.

"We need to move it from June to October. The Indiana State Festival Association suggested setting up during the Covered Bridge Festival. They think we would do really well during that time," said Gorrell.

The two-day Blast from the Past has been the main fundraiser for Friends of the Park in Roachdale, Bainbridge and Russellville and helps support the Summer Fun in the Sun program in local parks.

Proceeds from the show also helped fund the Summer Lunch Bunch Program, field trips, Red Ribbon Week and the End of Summer Luau for kids.

Gorrell is hoping changing the event to run during the annual Parke County Covered Bridge Festival will bring in vendors and festival goers.

Contracts can be found on the FOPR Web site at www.freindsoftheparkrussellville.org. Those who do not have access to the Internet can call Gorrell at 435-2813 to receive a contract by mail.

Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: