The Berlin Barnstorm is back for its fifth year. On April 30, Berlin Main Street Merchants are hosting the event that includes 36 different shops. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at all participating merchants.
The idea of the Barnstorm is simple. A 6-inch-by-5-inch wood plaque in the shape of a barn is hidden in each participating store. When the customer finds it, they tell the clerk in the store where they saw it. The customer is given an entry ticket they can fill out for a prize drawing to be held at 5 p.m. at Cindys Diner.
The Grand Prize is a locally made basket filled with lots of goodies from participating stores and a one night stay at Comfort Suites. Other prizes are gift certificates valued at $25 to $50 from participating merchants. The more stores where shoppers see the barn, the more entry tickets they will have entered in the drawing.
Cathy Coe, chairperson for the event and owner of Harvest Moon at Berlin, said, We came up with the idea for the event to help with slow winter sales. The weather in March is too unpredictable so we have settled on the last Saturday in April. We want to continue to have the event on the last Saturday in April so everyone will remember the date. It is better that way for the merchants and the customers who enjoy the unique shops Berlin has to offer.
Winners need not be present to win. A list of winners will be posted at Cindys Diner after the event. Winners will be mailed their gift certificates if they are not present. The Grand Prize winner will have to pick up the basket as it is too heavy to ship. It isnt practical to ship the basket so we ask that the winner pick it up at their convenience, said Coe.
The week before the Barnstorm the Grand Prize basket is displayed at Cindys Diner. We like for everyone to come down and see what they have a chance at winning, said Coe.
The event has grown each year and attracts local residents as well as out-of-towners anxious to get their spring shopping underway. This is Berlin Main Street Merchants biggest event of the year, said Coe. We have so many merchants participating this year. It is a great family event. Kids and adults both get a kick out of searching for the barn plaques as they visit the many different shops in Berlin.
Last year, we noticed about 30 percent of the prizes were won by local residents. The other 70 percent were won by out-of-towners so we know the event is working to get people back into the shops, said Coe.
Participating merchants will offer sales and specials for customers during the event.
The wooden plaques used in the event were created by artist Darlene Shell, of Sun Bonnet Originals of Indiana. Shell has been selling her artwork in Amish Country for many years. We asked Darlene if she could create a small wooden barn for us to use in the event and she was happy to do it for us, said Coe.
For more information about the Berlin Barnstorm, contact Cathy Coe at 330-893-3711.
