MCC sale starts Friday in Hutch
Starting Friday afternoon, more than 22,000 people will pass through the gates of the Kansas State Fairgrounds in Hutchinson.
They'll be there for the 35th Annual Mennonite Relief Sale. It's the climax of another year of efforts by those trying to spread light in a dark world.
Central to making the event a reality is the sale's 24-member board, approximately 40 committees, and contact people representing 70 Kansas churches. Their work helps to organize the efforts and contributions of hundreds of seamstresses and artisans — as well as a myriad of volunteers working in food preparation and services on the grounds.
At 2 p.m. Friday, the quilt display opens at the 4-H Exhibit Hall (a new location this year) and quilt auction reserved seats go on sale. Food service begins at 4 p.m., and other buildings will be open by 5.
In Sunflower Building South (new location), priced items include a wide variety of handmade Kansas crafts. Plants are sold in the same building. Visitors to the sale can also watch a volunteer weave rugs on a floor loom.
International crafts from Ten Thousand Villages will be selling at the Eisenhower Building. In the 4-H Exhibit Building sale guests can watch while a potter and a glass blower demonstrate their arts.
The Friday night auction and Saturday general auction will be in a brand new building, Sunflower Building North, located just north of last year's auction site (Sunflower Building South). Friday's auction begins at 6 p.m. to allow a full evening for the auction.
An additional change this year is the site and schedule for Friday night entertainment, which will begin at 7 p.m. in the 4-H Encampment Auditorium. Performing will be the Wedel Brothers and Praise IV vocal groups.
The Saturday morning breakfast of pancakes and sausage begins at 6 a.m. in the Pride of Kansas Building, and all sale buildings open at 7 a.m. The German buffet and chicken barbecue begin at 10:30 a.m.
The Run for Relief starts in Rice Park (off the fairgrounds) at 8 a.m. For the kids there is a hay bale maze located north of the Pride of Kansas Building, barrel rides, and stagecoach rides.
Two separate auctions begin at 8:45 on Saturday morning. The quilt auction of more than 250 handmade quilts and related items is back this year in the Meadowlark Building at the southwest edge of the fairgrounds. The hobby and general auction takes place at Sunflower Building North.
Parking and admission are free. Overnight campers must pay a fairgrounds fee. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Schedule of events
Friday, April 11
2 p.m.: Quilt display opens, Meadowlark Bldg.
4 p.m.: German buffet, Pride of Kansas Bldg.
5 p.m.: All buildings open for sales
6 p.m.: Friday auction, Sunflower North
7 p.m.: Entertainment, 4-H Encampment Bldg.
Saturday. April 12
6 to 10 a.m.: Breakfast, Pride of Kansas Bldg.
7 a.m.: All buildings open for sales.
8 a.m.: Run for Relief, Rice Park
8:45 a.m.: Quilt auction, Meadowlark Bldg.; hobby and general auction, Sunflower North
10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Chicken barbecue, Sunflower South; German buffet, Pride of Kansas Bldg.
Activities of special interest
Friday, April 11, morning and afternoon: Volunteers set up display of quilts and related items in Meadowlark Building. Home phone: (620) 327-4119. Work phone: (316) 283-2720.
Friday, April 11, early afternoon: Making New Year's cookies, apple butter, and apple fritters in 4-H Exhibit Hall.
Saturday, April 12, noon to 1 p.m.: Selling 1954 JD 40 tractor at general auction in Sunflower Bldg. North. Auctioneer: Lee Boesker, (620) 345-2603.
For more information visit http://www.mccsale.org/ka
