Rummage Sale and Spring Fair May 21: First Presbyterian, Holy Spirit unite to make sure two signature events thrive on same day in May

• Reprints

Two churches are working together to ease the way for a rummage sale and a spring fair on the same Saturday.

The later-than-usual celebration of Easter this year has brought the First Presbyterian Church's 61st Annual Rummage Sale and Church of the Holy Spirit's 102nd Spring Fair together on Saturday, May 21. The two churches -- Holy Spirit at Westminster and Church, and First Presbyterian at Sheridan and Deerpath -- are only a few hundred yards away from each other.

Church volunteers and city officials are working together to anticipate traffic problems and to resolve them.

Said Lake Forest Deputy Police Chief David Field, "It's a pretty good crowd, but it's scattered throughout the day. We're looking at it as an advantage (to have both on same day)."

The Rev. Jay Sidebotham at the Church of the Holy Spirit, 400 E. Westminster Road, said there will be shuttle vans traveling from parking lots to the Spring Fair and the Rummage Sale all day long.

Communications Director Donna Birney, First Presbyterian Church, 700 N. Sheridan Road, said their mutual goal is "keeping traffic moving smoothly through the area." Raising money

The primary goal for each congregation is to make sure all patrons of the Rummage Sale and Spring Fair have a great experience and a good time as they raise money to help others in Lake County, the Chicago region and abroad. In each case, none of the money goes to the church for its operating expenses.

This year, the need for a traffic management strategy emerged when organizers started to make arrangements to borrow tables from one another and discovered the common date. Each congregation has a long history of mutual cooperation, so they contacted Field to plan for the larger number of cars.

"We're going to do some of the same things we've done for 15 years," Field said. This includes clearly designating no parking areas so emergency vehicles can still get through if needed. Two off-duty police officers, as in years past, will be at the events. Their time is paid by the churches. Regular duty officers will be used as in past years and lots will offer free parking. Some parking will be permitted on side streets. Parking lots at Lake Forest College will be connected to both events by three shuttle vans.

"You can park in one spot and shuttle between both events," said Paula Turelli, communications manager at Church of the Holy Spirit.

At First Presbyterian Church, the Presbyterian Women's group accumulates donations all year long and prepares them for sale. Every week, donated items are examined, labeled, priced, boxed and then stored in trailers located in Libertyville. Right before the sale, the trailers are brought in and unloaded with similar items placed in the same rooms or areas of the education wing-clothing, furniture, jewelry, shoes, garden equipment, home decorations, hats, toys and other items. 'Slot machine'

"One year," said Liz Bradner, operations chairman, "there was a sailboat. Once there was a Volkswagen van, and one year there was a slot machine."

Bradner, Dawn Neal, and Beth Jones manage the event together with about three dozen volunteers, some of whom have worked on this for 30 years. The women meet weekly to make sure the best rummage is labeled and properly stored. Good donations to the church which do not pass muster for the sale itself go to social service organizations which have needs for the items, such as Firman House in Chicago.

"It's very organized," said Bradner.

When all expenses are paid, there is about $115,000 for the Mission Committee to distribute to Lake County, Chicago and overseas organizations. It helps fulfill one of the goals of the congregation, "to promote God's vision of justice."

The Rummage Sale is from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 21.

The Church of the Holy Spirit Spring Fair raises funds for mission work and supports about 50 organizations. This year it is managed by Laura Capstick and Kristan Carr and has about 100 assisting volunteers. Sidebotham said the fair has taken many forms during its 102-year existence.

"It's all about helping people in need in Chicago and abroad," Sidebotham said. Plus, "It's fun. It's a great event. It brings people together."

Those who attend the fair will find carnival rides, foods such as popcorn and ice cream, pony rides, a petting zoo, a Ferris wheel, games, and a bandstand with live music. There is a garden shop and baked goods are sold.

The event raises an estimated $50,000 to $80,000 which is supplemented with money from the Church itself for distribution to others at home and abroad.

"This is totally an event about our call to service," Sidebotham said. "The proceeds go to help someone in the world."

The Spring Fair is on the front lawn of the Church starting at 10 a.m. May 21.

"It's one of those things every year families go to," said Turelli. "Parents remember it from their childhood and are now bringing their own. If we have good weather, it will alleviate most of our fears and anxieties."

Special Home Delivery Offer »