Sample Fair set for Saturday

For food, fun and freebies don't miss the annual Ladies Civitan Sample Fair.

The traditional fundraiser is slated for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday at the 4-H Fairgrounds. Admission is $1.

The fair showcases a mixture of not-for-profit organizations as well as local businesses, said Ladies Civitan Secretary Liz Thompson.

"This is one of the two fundraisers we have each year. ... Everybody looks forward to it," she added, noting this year marks the 29th annual event.

"I think it's great. You can find about anything you want," Thompson said. "It's a lot of fun."

More than 20 vendors will offer samples, 12 businesses will have items for sale and giveaways will go all day.

"There's plenty of door prizes to be won," she explained. "The biggest item we have this year is a yard caddy for a garden hose."

Door prizes are provided by local businesses, she said.

The Indiana Bloodmobile will also be on hand for the event.

"The Indiana Bloodmobile will be (parked) outside ... That's extremely important. I really hope people will stop by and donate."

Good food is also a traditional part of the event.

"Nobody makes tacos like we do," she said, noting the 20 ounce taco size.

The Civitan lunch menu will also include desserts such as homemade pies.

Live music will be provided by Ed McCammon, a local deejay.

Attendance at the fair varies, she said.

"We've had up to 500. It just depends on what else is going on," Thompson said.

Thompson and Wanda Ranard are organizers of this year's event -- which benefits the community in a variety of ways.

"We put out a lot more than what we take in," Thompson explained.

Annually, the Ladies Civitan awards scholarships to local grads.

This year Heather Wilfong, a Union High School senior, and Michelle Roark, a Bloomfield High School senior, were chosen to receive a $500 scholarship, she said.

The seniors were chosen out of 28 candidates.

The Ladies Civitan is also involved with Pace (Head Start), local nursing homes and annually sponsors an essay contest at the Linton-Stockton Junior High.