Wooster, Ohio — For 56 years, the Mennonite, Brethren, Apostolic and Amish churches of northeastern Ohio have worked together to create a festive event that raises funds for the work of Mennonite Central Committee. After a COVID-limited virtual auction in 2020, the Ohio Mennonite Relief Sale will return in person Aug. 6 and 7. The event will take place in the new air-conditioned Event Center at the Wayne County Fairgrounds in Wooster.

Activities begin at 4 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 6, when the food stands open. Also starting at 4 p.m. there will be a silent auction, artisan’s market, quilter’s corner and auction displays. At 6:30 p.m. there will be a music program featuring the brother-sister trio Girl Named Tom. Other activities on Friday night include a volleyball tournament and a cornhole tournament.

On Saturday morning a “Fuel-Up-For-Relief” breakfast will begin at 7 a.m., featuring pancakes, sausage, sausage gravy, biscuits and scrambled eggs.

At 7:30 a.m. there will be a 1K Kid’s Fun Run, followed by a 5K Run and Walk for Relief starting at 8 a.m.

Plenty of children’s games and activities are planned, featuring the “barrel” train and inflatables. The popular Children’s Auction returns in 2021 with toys for children to bid on. The Children’s Auction begins at 10:30 a.m.

Major items, including quilts, furniture, tools, and other large items, will be sold at auction on Saturday, starting at 9 a.m. In a change from previous years, there will be just one auction instead of two separate auctions. Quilts, furniture, tools, and the large item donations will alternate selling approximately every half hour. The auction will have live in-person bidding as well as secure online remote bidding via Proxibid.

You may preview auction items  online at www.OhioMCCReliefSale.org. Selected products will be offered as “Buy It Now” items. These items can be purchased online  at a set price from July 26 to Aug. 5. Any “Buy It Now” items that are not purchased will be sold at auction on Aug. 7.

Staffed solely by volunteers, the Relief Sale’s proceeds go to Mennonite Central Committee (MCC). MCC is the relief, service and development agency of North American Mennonite and Brethren in Christ Churches.

Admission and parking are free. ADA parking and wheelchairs are available. This event will be held rain or shine. For more information, see the relief sale brochure or contact Board Chairperson Brenda LaTulippe at 330-933-6372 or ohio.reliefsale@gmail.com.