Vendors say business boomed at New Carlisle event

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NEW CARLISLE, Ind. --- Hundreds of people spent the day at Memorial Park in New Carlisle on Sunday for the Hometown Days weekend.

The event is in its 13th year and eventgoers enjoyed music courtesy of a local men’s choir, food from local restaurants, and vendors from all over Michiana.

An event organizer said the vendors are her favorite part about the 3-day event but said it’s important that the business keep the momentum going past the event.

Wendy Hakes, co-owner of The Carpenter’s Daughters, a company that sells custom made wooden signs, started her business back in February. She said this was her first time participating in Hometown Days.

“We’ve had great response here at hometown days,” she said. “We’ve had many custom orders and we’ve sold a lot of our signs that we’ve created”

Hakes is just one of many vendors at the annual event. An organizer said the event is a reminder of all hidden treasures people can find in New Carlisle.

“I’ve seen people hear on Friday and the same people here on Sunday so they keep coming back enjoying what we have,” said Dawn Kreuger, Hometown Days organizer.

Kreuger said, during the 3-day event, they had food, music, what she calls the largest Wiffle Ball tournament in the nation, a car show, and parade. But she said her favorite part is the vendors, the businesses that lined the sidewalks at Memorial Park.

“It’s important that they have you know they have business during this weekend,” said Kreuger. “But we have people that keep coming back and going to those businesses so that definitely helps with keeping New Carlisle alive.”

These vendors do keep money in the community, but according to a study done by the University of Michigan, vendors and local business promote entrepreneurship, saves tax dollars, creates jobs, and keeps the community unique.

Hakes said after this weekend she’ll be able to keep this momentum going.

“We’ve also had a lot of other show coordinators come and really like our signs and have asked us to be a part of their upcoming shows,” said Hakes.

Until then she said she’s just thankful for events like Hometown Days.

“We got the best spot in the park, we have great neighbors,” said Hakes. “We’ve had great foot traffic again we’ve just had people who’ve said just how impressed they are with our signs and so we’re just really and truly thankful and blessed.”

The event ended Sunday afternoon, but if you’d like to go next year the dates are Friday, July 27 to Sunday, July 29.

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