Published: June 07, 2008 07:52 pm         

Sale offers variety of activities

Community event attracts people from all areas

Even though Jeff Lee didn’t plan on buying something specific on Saturday morning, his wife Beth still went out for a day of shopping prepared with a list.

“I had my sheet marked with what I wanted,” she said. “It’s nice to have.”

The Logansport couple along with thousands of other people came from throughout the area to search for good deals during Saturday’s Cass County community sale.

From used to new, a variety of items were available from a total of 170 different booths set up throughout the two merchant buildings, the swine barn, and the sheep and goat building at the Cass County 4-H fairgrounds.

Janet Hanna, a resident of Lucerne, was among the vendors. She attended for the first time Saturday to sell her “Fuzzy Flip-Flops,” which were done by crochet with yarn and what she referred to as “fun fur.”

“Each is one of kind,” she said. “I try not to make two of a kind unless it is the white or black ones.”

Hanna started her hobby for creating the flip-flops three years ago and began working on her stock for the sale back in February. She completed 165 pairs for the sale, with each pair taking one hour to complete.

Even though she didn’t keep count on how many items sold, Hanna was pleased with the business for the day.

“I’m doing great,” she said.

When she saw the sale advertised in the paper, she said she knew the event was the perfect place to sell her creations.

Tables lined up next to one another offered such items as woodworking, crafts, rugs, candles, hand-made jewelry, clothing, collectibles, matchbox cars, purses and other items people had made or just didn’t need anymore.

Sponsored by the Pharos-Tribune, the sale also offered entertainment throughout the day. Horse rides were available, along with several food vendors, face painting and a clown making balloon animals. Okee Dokee Karaoke was also a popular spot for people of all ages.

The Logansport Fire Department and Cass County Sheriff’s Department were present as well as the Reading Railroad and Cass County Public Library.

Overall, the large crowd of people seemed pleased with the day’s events.

“We could not have asked for a better crowd,” said Nancy Blackwood, Pharos-Tribune classified advertising manager. “I probably have had about 12 vendors ask to do this again in the fall. I’ve never seen people happier.”

Blackwood estimated the crowd at anywhere from 7,000 to 8,000 people.

While some shoppers came in search of a specific item, Logansport residents Richard and Marsha Hood were just curious about what they might find.

Though the couple only found a pair of flip-flops, they were impressed by the size of the sale and everything it had to offer.

“It was bigger than I thought it was going to be,” said Marsha.

Jeff and Beth were also impressed by the size.

“We’ve came the last few times,” said Jeff. “It seems like there’s more vendors and food here this time.”

The event was beneficial for the sellers as well as the buyers, and offered more than just a good sale.

Linda Nicolas, Winamac resident and owner of Loving Creations by Linda, participated in the sale for the second year participating. Nicolas said she attends some type of show every weekend.

With several Father’s Day items, Nicolas said she had a lot of business during the sale. She also had a variety of Victorian decor and framed poetry, created by a minister from Michigan.

“I’m doing pretty good,” she said of her business. “There’s really been a nice crowd.”

Nicolas said the event brought several communities together for the day.

“I think you’ve got different people here,” she said. “It should be good for everybody, vendors and spenders, because they have a really good choice of what to buy.”

Denise Massie can be reached at (574) 732-5151 or via e-mail at denise.massie@pharostribune.com