2000
The 17th annual Oregon Mennonite Festival for World Relief on October 14,
2000 broke records both for proceeds and attendance. Sale day proceeds
exceeded $120,000 and attendance was estimated at more than 8000. Last
year's numbers were $80,500 and 6000 people.
Enthusiasm and a positive atmosphere were evident the entire day, beginning with the
breakfast and ending with the last auction item. One booth chairperson
commented, "A very positive atmosphere, people seemed to be enjoying
themselves; we had fun!"
Highlights
The quilt auction fired up the crowd with thirteen quilts selling
between $1000 and $5750 each! The top quilt sold twice, the first time for
$3100 and was then donated back to resell for $2650. A local newspaper
carried a Sunday morning article with the headline, "Going Crazy over
Quilts at Fall Festival!" More than 100 quilts and related items were
sold at the sale for a total of $53,000.
Children 12 and younger found the children's auction exciting. The
auction proceeds totaled more than $200 with items ranging from $0.25 to
$17. Favored items were stuffed animals and Pokemon cards.
In response to an urgent request from the Mennonite Central Committee, an
all-out effort was made to see how many school kits we could fill. Kit
contents were initially purchased by the Festival's Board of Directors,
volunteers made bags, and Festival goers were invited to pay $1 to fill a school
kit bag. As a result, many children, youth and adults visited the
booth. At the end of the day, 1600 kits were loaded onto the MCC
truck.
All booth and food items sold well, including almost 800 gallons of freshly
pressed, apple cider.
We praise the Lord for a successful day!
