This month, we take you back to early in the 21st century when the club sponsored an Autumn Arts Festival as a lucrative and fun FUNdraiser. Current members Dawn Young and Liz Watkins were instrumental in making it happen, but it required many club members and artists in the community to make it a success.
The first festival was held in the fall of 2002 in Woodcroft’s community parking lot. Flyers were handed out at Centerfest and Cary Lazy Days in advance to attract artists and attendees. Notices were placed in the Woodcroft newsletter and flyers stuffed in boxes at Woodcroft residences.
After a successful first year with about 40 artists, the venue was moved to the parking lot of the still-being-completed Sutton Station complex for the next two years. The new location was able to accommodate more than 100 artists displaying their wares. In addition to fees for booth space, each vendor was asked to contribute an item for a raffle to raise additional funds for the club. Other fundraising activities included selling concessions, the newly released WWC Cookbook, and a custom Autumn Arts Festival T-shirt designed by a member’s husband.
"The Autumn Arts Festival was a BIG production, reminding us that BIG things are possible when we all come together!”