Raggedy Ann Revival Effort

The Raggedy Ann Rally is the most recent iteration of a gathering of Raggedy Ann fans that has been meeting in Arcola since 1989. Previously the Raggedy Ann Festival, this gathering of fans has attracted people from all over the globe to buy and sell Raggedy merchandise and meet up with friends! These days, it is a slightly smaller production, but with the new energy that the fandom has experienced recently, we have the perfect opportunity to bring more people to it.

Each year, a Raggedy Ann character is chosen to be the main theme. 2026's character is Betsy Bonnetstring!

Have questions not answered here? Looking for ticket forms or people to plan with?

FAQ

Where is it?

In Arcola, Illinois, the birthplace of Johnny Gruelle! A small town in the middle of Amish country, 2 1/2 hours south of Chicago. The banquet takes place in Arthur, another town just 15 minutes away.

When is it?

The Rally always takes place in the first half of June. In 2026, it will be June 11th to 13th.

What events are taking place this year?

The 2026 schedule has not been fully released, this is an estimate based on past years.

Key: Flower icon ❁ events are free to attend. Dollar sign $ means there is a ticket cost.

Thursday, June 11th

❁ 6:00 pm - Early Bird Supper

  • @ the covered Pavillion near 135 N Oak, Arcola, IL
  • Bring your own picnic
  • Music provided by Troye Kauffman

Friday, June 12th

❁ 11:00 am - 1:00 pm: Tea Party Picnic

  • @ the Johnny Gruelle memorial bench in Arcola, IL
  • Join us for a fun, relaxing meetup and take your annual bench photos with Raggedy friends. Bring your dolls and/or come in costume.
  • Attendees are recommended to bring their own teacups and blankets for sitting on the grass. Drinks and snacks will be provided but in limited quantities, so please bring some to share!
  • (If you’re bringing food to share, we gratefully ask that you bring a list of ingredients for our friends with allergies)

❁ 1:00 - 4:00 pm: Nickel Auction

  • @ the covered Pavillion near 135 N Oak, Arcola, IL
  • Raggedy Rally attendees are invited to bring 1 or 2 items per family to be auctioned off. We provide the auctioneer - you receive the money that your item sells for.

$ 5:30 pm: Raggedy Ann Banquet & Silent Auction

  • @ Yoder’s Kitchen, 1195 E Columbia St, Arthur, IL 61911
  • Hear the opening announcements, chat with friends, and give out "happies" (little handmade trinkets based on this year's theme)!
  • Arrive no earlier than 5:30pm to view & bid on auction items, dinner will be served at 6:00pm
  • Please send in your reservations before May 31st! Children 3 to 10 are $25, adults $30. Banquet ticket form below.

Saturday, June 13th

❁ 9:00 am - 3:00 pm: Raggedy Market

  • @ the Arcola Center, 107 W Main St Arcola, IL
  • A market of Raggedy Ann goods and art, vintage and homemade!
  • Market will close during the parade and Broomcorn palace photo.

$ 10:00 am: Raggedy Academy doors open

  • Arcola Masonic Lodge 111 South Locust Arcola, IL
  • Raggedy Academy will include fun presentations on the history of the characters, how to care for vintage dolls, and arts and crafts hosted by members of the Raggedy community! The one-time ticket covers all events, so check out the schedule and stop by the Arcola Masonic Lodge, right across the street from the Broomcorn Palace. We’ll have something for everyone, from collectors to fans to families.
  • Tickets: $5 - $10 suggested donation, no one turned away for lack of funds. Ticket covers all events at the Lodge.
  • Online ticket link TBA. You may also pay at the door with cash or payment apps.
  • Presentation schedule TBA.

❁ 1:00 pm - 1:15 pm: Raggedy Ann Parade!

  • Starting at the Arcola Center, walking to the Broomcorn Palace.
  • Come dressed up as your favorite Raggedy character! We want as many people in costume as possible!

❁ 1:15 pm - 2:30 pm: Broomcorn Palace Social

  • 201 E. Main, Arcola, IL
  • We want everyone here to take a big group photo in costume!
  • Afterward, enjoy refreshments on the 2nd and 3rd floors, visit the Raggedy Ann exhibit

❁ Time TBA: Betsy Bonnetstring Doll Make-over Contest

  • @ the Broomcorn Palace, 201 E. Main, Arcola, IL
  • Dress up a non-raggedy doll as Betsy Bonnetstring and visit the display

$ 6:00 pm: Costume Jamboree

  • Arcola Masonic Lodge 111 South Locust Arcola, IL
  • Show off your Raggedy costume at the Costume Jamboree! Whether your costume is store-bought or homemade, everyone is invited to showcase their Raggedy getup at this all-ages event. There will be two ways to join in on the fun: sign up as a walk-on and step on stage to display your costume, or sign up for the lip-sync showcase and give it your all! Sing along, cheer loud, and support your friends as they take the stage!
  • Tickets included with day ticket for the Lodge.
  • Costume signup link TBA. In-person signup will be open until Saturday afternoon.

$ 6:30 pm: Lucky Pennies Fundraiser

  • Arcola Masonic Lodge 111 South Locust Arcola, IL
  • Who will win the grand prize? The lucky pennies will decide! Help RARE fundraise for future Raggedy Ann musical workshops and rally events while playing against your friends. Everyone comes home with a prize, and round winners get a chance to compete in the Raggedy Trivia Game Show.
  • Tickets included with day ticket for the Lodge.

$ 7:15 pm: Candy Heart Cabaret

  • Arcola Masonic Lodge 111 South Locust Arcola, IL
  • We’re going back in time to perform songs from throughout the history of Raggedy Ann. Starting with "Stepping Stones" and through well-loved music, until we’re back in the present day with the new musical revival. You’ll even hear a couple of rare songs from our archives that you’ve never heard before! Featuring performers from RARE Theatricals.
  • Tickets included with day ticket for the Lodge.

Sunday, June 14th

❁ 10:00 am: RARE Cracker Barrel Brunch

  • @ 1101 Charleston Ave. E. Mattoon, IL
  • End the weekend with friends at RARE! It's buy your own brunch but everyone is welcome at our table.

What is the ADA accessibility?

This list is incomplete at the moment, we are still working to contact the spaces, and some information will not be confirmed until we attend the 2026 Rally. Please contact us with any specific needs or questions if you would like us to search on your behalf.

Fully wheelchair accessible:

Partially wheelchair accessible:

Restrooms:

There are no public restrooms at the Arcola Visitor Center, Covered Pavillion or Gruelle Memorial. Businesses nearby may have open restrooms, and the Arcola Center is a few blocks away.

Allergy Info:

The dinner served at the Raggedy Ann Banquet at Yoder's Kitchen contains shrimp, nuts, wheat, and dairy. The food is served buffet-style, so there is high risk of cross-contamination. You can order from the normal kitchen, but it will not be covered by your Banquet ticket. Please contact Kathy for alternate options.

What are the accommodations?

Transportation:

The nearest airport is in Champaign, Illinois, although you can also fly into Chicago. If you are fortunate enough to be near an AMTRAK station, you can also take the train! It stops in Chicago, Champaign, and Mattoon.

Once in town, there is no public transportation. However, we have been able to get an Uber from Champaign to Arcola. Since many of the events are scattered throughout the town and surrounding area, you will need to plan ahead to ensure you have a ride. Many of the people attending are happy to help!

Hotels:

There are a few options for hotels nearby. The Arcola Inn and the Quality Inn are the most in-town and walkable from the events in Arcola. The Best Western is close-by but across the highway.

Food:

Arcola has a handful of small restaurants, as well as a McDonald's and a Dairy Queen. If you're staying at the Arcola Inn or the Quality Inn, they will be within walking distance. If you're staying at the Best Western, they will still be close, but you'll have to cross the highway. There are also several small grocery stores in town.

How do I get my ticket for the banquet?

Reservations for the banquet must be sent in advance via a check and a printed (or handwritten) form. You can also message Kathy Ellis directly on Facebook (preferred) or use her email, rags_r_us@yahoo.com, or ask via the Facebook and Discord groups mentioned above.

RAGGEDY ANN RALLY BANQUET & SILENT AUCTION Registration Form
Make Check out to John Ellis
SEND this form (or handwritten copy) and check to:
Darlene Ridenour
16833 Township Rd 119
Newcomerstown, OH 43832

Your Name: _________________
Address: _________________
Please provide a text number and/or email so Darlene can confirm your reservation.
Phone (text) _________________ and / or Email: _________________
_____ Children Under 3 No Charge
_____ Children 3 to 10 @ $25 each = $______
_____ Adults (11 & older) @ $30 each = $______
$______ Amount of Check
_______ Check Number
PLEASE List out Name of EACH Adult or Child wishing to Bid on Silent Auction Items. Each bidder must be listed so a specific bidder name can be assigned to each bidder.

Tables are set for 6 people, please do not try to put more than 6 at a table, there isn't space!

If a group of 6 would like to sit together, please send the check for everyone in the same envelope. Kathy will put a reserved sign at tables meant for groups of 6.

2026 banquet registration must be sent so that it arrives by June 3rd. Please send in your reservations as early as possible, as the rally organizers need to reach a minimum attendance to afford the reservation. Tickets may be purchased at the door with cash, with an additional $5 fee, but please reserve beforehand if possible, or there may be no event for you to attend.

What are "happies"?

"Happies" are small trinkets given out during the banquet dinner. They can be small toys, keychains, cards, stickers, or other little party favors. They are almost always Raggedy Ann themed and are often also themed around that year's character.

The tradition was started years ago in the earlier days of the Raggedy Ann Festival, when members of the community traveling from Japan would bring little gifts and say that they're “happy to see you!” More people began bringing little gifts and trinkets, and it evolved into part of the festivities. The rally organizers stress that new people are not expected to bring happies. Even people who are regulars do not bring happies every year. If you are planning on bringing something, you will need about 100 to have enough for each person at the banquet, so please do not spend too much time or money on them!

Do people come in cosplay?

There will be a costume parade and other costume events this year!

You won't be alone in cosplay at the market; there will always be a couple of Raggedy Ann fans in costume. Many regular rallygoers miss the days when more people dressed up and are always excited when people do! Some years, the Raggedy Ann Revival Effort organizes a specific cosplay get-together for people to hang out and take photos. Check the schedule above to see.

How do I become a vendor?

To become a vendor at the Saturday Market, you simply need to submit a vendor form and pay the $20 booth fee. Along with the booth owner, you may also list the names of other individuals who will be assisting you with setup. The market is free for all attendees, but this ensures that your helpers can gain entry before the doors open! Vendor setup takes place on Friday and Saturday morning prior to opening to the public, and teardown occurs on Saturday after closing. Vendors are provided with an 8-foot by 8-foot space, a table, and chairs.

Vendor application must be sent in advance via a check and printed (or handwritten) form. The 2026 vendor application deadline is yet to be announced, but will be the end of May. Mail must be sent to arrive by this date. If you have questions, email the Rally organizers at rags_r_us@yahoo.com or text or call: 217-251-7947.

Raggedy Ann Rally 2025 VENDOR APPLICATION FORM
Make Check out to John Ellis
SEND this form (or handwritten copy) and check to:
John & Kathy Ellis
317 N State,
Chrisman, IL 61924

# of tables desired: _________________
Vendor signature & date: _________________
Vendor: _________________
Vendor Assistant(s): _________________
Address: _________________
Phone: _________________
Email address: _________________
Date Received: _________________
Check #: _________________

Vendor Set-up times:

Vendor Take-down times:

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