Odd Fellows set to Shop, Rock, and Roll at Odd Market
By Kayleigh Rahn
The Tuscola Odd Fellows are ready to turn up the volume for the next Odd Market.
This time around, the Odd Fellows have invited the community to Odd Market where they will Shop Rock and Roll for a cause from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 18. On its third loop the not-for-profit Odd Market will benefit First Gig Rock N’ Roll Camp for Kids.
Odd Fellows Laura Davis and Ainslie Heilich say they’re proud to have grown into one of the region’s best handmade markets, and this year they’re anxious to include more live music acts, more food, and more fun.
The free event will showcase the talents of previous First Gig attendees with headlining act Killer Bee Honey.
“We are going to focus on having really good food and music and the same quality of vendors, artists, and makers,” Davis said.
“We hope to highlight the makers of Central Illinois,” Heilich added.
The event will be the first to take advantage of the city’s new outdoor space near the Community Building. The city-owned property to the east of the Community Building was recently turned into greenspace to help house indoor/outdoor events. Vendors, including 40 artists and makers, will be located indoors and outdoors, kid-friendly fun, including inflatables, will be located at the city’s greenspace, and the Community Building parking lot will house the entertainment venue including live music and food.
A live reptile show will be provided for kids, and Sundry Shadows will be heating it up with fire dancing and performances.
This market’s beneficiary First Gig Rock N’ Roll Camp for Kids is a six-day destination camp for youths aged 10-17 years who love music and are ready for the band experience; including the thrill of performing live in front of an audience, according to the camp’s website.
“A few of our members are part of Killer Bee Honey, and this is a project they feel very passionate about,” Heilich explained. “They thought it would be fun to do a music-themed Odd market. (First Gig) does a week for special needs kids, and we like that idea of helping special needs children gain access to music and to have music socialization for that outlet.”
The full story can be found in the Wednesday, July 4 edition of The Tuscola Journal.