PENDLETON — The streets were alive with the sound of music — as well as socializing with food and drink, yard games and video games, and more — during Outfitters Block Party on Saturday in downtown Pendleton.
“It’s amazing that they can do something like this so children can get clothes,” said Alyssa Receveur, 16, of Indianapolis, shortly after receiving a face painting by lamplight.
Hundreds of people came out to the party, which is a major fundraiser for the non-profit group Outfitters Inc.
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Outfitters provides new and gently used clothing free of charge to economically disadvantaged children in South Madison County. Last year Outfitters helped clothe 842 children.
Outfitters director Niki Brown said Saturday’s event had “over 900 in attendance,” about a tie with the record crowd that turned out for the annual event in 2017.
The fundraising total — with a couple of bills still to pay and some donations trickling in — on Tuesday sat at $15,806, a record for the event.
“I think everybody really enjoyed the Kid Zone and the new attractions,” including professional face painters and balloon artists, as well as teen games and a video game truck, Brown said.
When children are having fun, everyone is happy, she said.
Also, thanks to a change in permitting, “parents were able to get drinks and still walk around with their kids,” instead of being confined to a smaller area.
“It opened up the entire lot area,” she said.
“People seemed to really enjoy the music and were dancing.”
There was fireworks show as well as a fashion show, which is always a highlight, she said.
Participating children have fun picking out clothing they get to model, she said, and people are able to get a better understanding of what the organization does in the community.
