Vendors and food trucks at the 2023 Destination Pierceton event. Photos provided by the Pierceton Chamber of Commerce.

By Patrick Webb
InkFreeNews

PIERCETON — Destination Pierceton is returning this weekend and includes an online auction to support the Pierceton Chamber of Commerce.

According to Pierceton Chamber of Commerce President Kelsea DaGaetano, Destination Pierceton started in 2021 as “Stroll Through Pierceton” and was rebranded in 2022.

Destination Pierceton is a shopping event to fill in the “gap” between events. Destination Pierceton is designed to highlight Pierceton and local chamber members, DaGaetano said. She added that the event has grown since its start.

“I really wanted to expand (Destination Pierceton) and give our chamber members an opportunity to highlight themselves,” said DaGaetano. “I really want to give them an outlet for their business.”

Chamber members are able to host a booth in Brower Park for free during Destination Pierceton. Outside vendors and non-chamber members are able to obtain a 10 by 10 foot space for $20.

DaGaetano said that people in Pierceton are speaking about Destination Pierceton before the event begins. She added that some residents may not visit local shops except during events.

“This’ a good opportunity to kickstart the year for our local people to branch out and come and see our local businesses,” said DaGaetano, along with inviting friends from nearby towns.

“If people haven’t been to town recently we have new things going on,” DaGaetano said. She mentioned a few new shops that have opened, such as Kelly Jo’s. She also mentioned that Barefoot Cottage, which recently joined the Pierceton Chamber of Commerce.

“(Barefoot Cottage) isn’t quite ready for the official opening but they’re still going to be here this weekend,” DaGaetano said.

“This year we did try to advertise a little bit more, to hopefully get people from a little out of our downtown area,” DaGaetano said. She added that it’s been hard to gauge visitors from out of town following COVID-19.

Destination Pierceton will take place from noon to 6 p.m. Friday, May 10, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 11. Attractions will include vendors in Brower Park, and stores at regular or extended hours. Some downtown stores may have sales, such as specials or new inventory, for Destination Pierceton.

Food trucks will also be available. Local restaurants will have specials, including Taproot Brewhouse and Company, Second Fiddle and Julia’s Tamales Y Tacos.

Pierceton Chamber of Commerce stickers and magnets, designed by Emerald Owl, are currently available at shops such as Kelly Jo’s, Kelsea Designs and Homespun House. DaGaetano said the stickers and magnets are designed as mementos for locals and people visiting Pierceton. Stickers are $3 and magnets are $4, and will be later available at more shops.

Destination Pierceton will also have an online auction to support the Pierceton Chamber of Commerce.

The online auction is sponsored by John Burnau of Metzger Property Services. Items for the online auction can be seen in person at Second Fiddle during Destination Pierceton, along with instructions to sign up to bid. A link will be shared on the Pierceton Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.

Following Destination Pierceton, the Pierceton Fire Department will hold a fish and tenderloin fry from 4-7 p.m. Saturday, May 11. According to a press release, the cost is $12 per adult or $8 per child dine in and $12 for drive through, along with soft serve ice cream at $1 per cup.

Pie will also be sold by the Pierceton Christmas Lights Committee to raise funds for maintenance and additions to the Pierceton Christmas lights display.

DaGaetano said that the Pierceton Fire Department’s fish fry last year was an “accident.”

“It was awesome,” DaGaetano said, and added that members of the community “shift gears,” following Destination Pierceton to enjoy time together and community fundraising.

This year DaGaetano said they worked to make sure the fish fry and Destination Pierceton occurred during the same weekend.

She hopes it will continue to be a tradition and that it shows Pierceton’s community working together.

“Our shops community, our fire department, our Christmas committee and Chamber of Commerce. Everybody coming together on the day of the year to celebrate Pierceton,” said DaGaetano.