LIMA — The sun was out and the birds were chirping for the kick-off of Square Fair 2009.
This year’s Square Fair brought in 55 craft vendors and 18 food booths that were sprinkled around Lima’s Town Square. That is a large increase to last year’s numbers of 25 vendors and 12 food booths.
“That’s the upside of the down economy,” said Diane Peterson, president of Square Fair Inc. “People are trying to make a little extra money.”
Vendors are selling artwork, home decorations, kitchenware and metal art, along with other cute trinkets, such as beaded baby socks. A fusion of aromas wafted from the food booths, which included restaurants like Milano Café and Lazeza.
Peterson said there are 10,000 volunteers at this year’s event. Wednesday was spent setting up. Toast to the City, held Wednesday, was a ticketed fundraiser with east-Indian ethnic entertainment. Peterson said 460 people attended with proceeds going towards funding the weekend’s events.
Peterson said Thursday’s festivities are a light kick-off for Friday and Saturday’s events. Musical groups, Da Band, Hipnotix and Voo’ Dudes played Thursday on the main stage. The headliner for Friday’s musical entertainment will be Duke Tumatoe.
Peterson said 50,000 to 60,000 people usually visit Square Fair across the three days’ events but she expects record numbers with the band 38 Special headlining Square Fair’s entertainment Saturday night.
There will be a kid’s area starting at noon Friday and Saturday with sand and graffiti art available, seven local dance companies performing their dance moves, and chalk art decorating of a demolition derby vehicle.
Some notable changes at this year’s Square Fair are volunteers set up at numerous entrance locations accepting $1 donations. Peterson said with the lackluster economy the corporate partners of Square Fair Inc. received $30,000 less this year.
“If we had cut Square Fair by $30,000 it would be a dud and negative,” Peterson said. “We’re hoping to make that money back.”
There’s also the addition of a V.I.P. section right in front of the stage. For the three days of Square Fair, local businesses could pay $1,000 for a table of 10. There’s also a bar inside the V.I.P. area for convenience when the crowds become too large on Friday and Saturday nights.
Jim Fess, Lima resident, said he enjoys coming to Square Fair for the social aspect of it.
“I come every year for the food and entertainment,” Fess said. “I like to see what’s going on.”
