Street Fair set to aid bike giveaway

Published 2:07 pm Friday, October 3, 2014

John Dickess and Don Schwartz, organizers of the Lawrence County Bike Giveaway, have set a goal of giving 350 children from low-income families bikes for Christmas this year. Dickess and Schwartz are having a fundraising Street Fair in an attempt to reach that goal.

“We are going to try and raise money different ways to reach our goal,” Dickess, owner of Dickess Auto Repair in Ironton, said. “It’s our first year doing the Street Fair and we are just going to see how it goes.”

The Street Fair will take place 1-5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18, at the Farmers Market, 220 S. Second St. in downtown Ironton. Food and drinks, live bands, nearly 30 vendors, arts and crafts, a car show, and an ATV raffle are all part of the Street Fair.

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“The four-wheeler raffle will be a big fundraiser for the bike giveaway,” Dickess said. “Tickets are $5 and on sale now until Dec. 20.”

ATV raffle tickets can be purchased at Dickess Auto Repair, 212 S. Sixth St., or Advance Auto Parts, 615 Park Ave.

Tools and pies and cakes are some of the items available for auction and the gospel bands Soulsong and Forgiven will provide live entertainment. A roped-off section containing several inflatables will be available for children.

“It’s a very kid-friendly event,” Dickess said. “I hope people will come out and support this great cause.”

The Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office and the Ironton Health Department are helping raise money for the giveaway.

“Advance Auto Parts and Dickess Auto Repair were both great to help us with the bike rodeo,” Laura Brown, commissioner for the Ironton Health Department, said. “We wanted to help them back.”

Nearly 250 bikes were given away last Christmas.

All proceeds from the Street Fair are used to fund the bike giveaway. Donations are always accepted. Vendor spots are $25 and can be reserved by calling Cpl. Julia Jones of the sheriff’s office at 740-532-3106.

This year’s Lawrence County Bicycle Giveaway will be at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 20, in the Ironton High School Auditorium.