News : Fall Treasure Fest set for Sept. 24, in Belle Plaine

More than 20 nonprofit organizations from Benton, Iowa, Poweshiek and Tama Counties are joining to present the 2016 Fall Treasure Fest, a day of great buys, live entertainment, fabulous food, and a chance to win great prizes. In short, an extravaganza with something for everyone. Items for sale at the Fest include collectibles and rummage sale items, baked goods, fresh produce, graphic T-shirts and sweatshirts, window decals, books and bookmarks, nuts, fudge, and much more. The fest will host a read-a-thon with school-age participants receiving goody bags that contain coupons for free Subway sandwiches, McDonalds ice cream cones,and other gifts. Student participants will be eligible for hourly door prizes as well. Special guests at the read-a-thon include Claire Roth of Iowa Public Radio; Cara Miller, President, Silos & Smokestacks; and Rep. Dawn Pettengill. Master gardener Marvin Kucera will be on site to answer those difficult gardening questions, and information on preventing medicare fraud and other kinds of fraud will be available. Prize-winning artist Jane Hrabak will create a one-of-a-kind artwork, and other pieces of herart will bedisplayed in an exhibit that includes work from Benton County Artists Jon Eichhorn, Greg Walton, and Don McKinney.Live entertainment throughout the day willincludeperformances by Miranda Pope,Jim Magdefrau, Kate West, Ella Kramer, Jolene Engel, Betty Moeller, and BP cheerleaders.Raffle tickets will be on sale for a chance to win original artwork, RoughRider game passes, a Thys oil change, and other great prizes. Visitors to the fest can have a great time and load up on unique items and have the chance to support area nonprofits like Virginia Gay Hospitals and Clinics and the Blairstown Library. The event, which was listed as a day trip worth taking in the Sept/Oct edition of The Iowan, takes place September 24 at 1523 Sunset Drive, Belle Plaine, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.More information on sales, prizes, entertainment, the read-a-thon, and the participating non-profit groups can be found on our website (belleplaineeventsplanner.weebly.com) or our Facebook Eventpage.