OCHS Band Craft & Vendor Expo March 25

BY MOLLY HAINES RIDDLE

Sweet Owen Editor

As a Franklin County High School band alumnus, Amie Crowe is well-versed in successful fundraising efforts. Now an Owen County resident and mother of two, Crowe drew inspiration from her alma mater’s annual Band Bazaar to help create the Owen County High School Band Craft & Vendor Expo, slated for Saturday, March 25.

Not unlike the FCHS event, the Expo’s vendors vary from handcrafted items such as lamps and crochet to door hangers and baked goods, filling the gymnasium and cafeteria at OCHS. Band students will assist vendors in setting up, tearing down, and running a silent auction, among other duties.

“I was in the band at Franklin County,” Crowe said. “All of the kids have to work (the Band Bazaar), and they’ve done it for so many years. That’s what I would like (the Expo) to become, a big thing for us that can live on for years.”

Only when a group of OCHS parents created the Band Boosters program in 2018 did the band have a major fundraising vehicle. The Expo, now in its third year, serves as its most significant fundraiser, with money raised going toward the purchase of props to enhance marching band performances throughout the year, copyrights to the music performed, and other needs as they arise.

A silent auction is held in conjunction with the Expo in the back foyer area of the school, making up about a third of the event’s revenue, according to OCHS Band Director Michael Pinkston.

“(Items for the silent auction) come from families, local businesses, corporations, and vendors,” Pinkston added. “We walk around and ask the vendors if there’s a small donation they’d like to make throughout the day. We’ve also had donations for tickets to Kings Island, Florence Y’alls, and the Louisville Zoo, so we get a lot of that stuff too.”

Student-run concessions are also available throughout the day, including hot dogs, chips, pizza, cookies, candy, and drinks. A bake sale, made possible through donations, is also included in the day’s festivities.

The Boosters are working to increase advertising this year to up event attendance. Signs are located in prominent areas, including in adjoining counties, and event fliers are posted in local businesses. The group also advertises through a Facebook event page.

“Every year, we survey the vendors, how they think everything went, any questions and all that,” Crowe said. “More foot traffic was one of the main things the vendors said they’d like to see.”

Prospective vendors should contact Crowe at ocbandexpo@yahoo.com no later than Wednesday, March 15. The cost of a 10’x10’ booth is $30 or $50 for two. Each booth is provided with two chairs, but vendors must furnish their own table. Wall spaces are available, as well as electric, at no additional charge.

“The band works tirelessly throughout the year on performances, competitions, and so on,” Pinkston said. “The Expo is an excellent way for the community and region to support the band and goes beyond your typical school-related fundraiser selling candy bars or what have you. The Expo is different; it’s unique.”

If you go:

The Owen County High School Band Craft & Vendor Expo is scheduled for 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday, March 25, 2023, at OCHS, 2340 Hwy. 22 E., Owenton, KY 40359. For more information, search “OCHS Band Craft & Vendor Expo” on Facebook.