| Raggedy Ann Rally |
A Raggedy Ann fan meetup!
We've seen a lot more interest from the Raggedy Ann fandom in joining us at the Rally this year, so I decided to put all the info you need into one place!
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 & sell Raggedy merch and meet up with friends! These days, it is a slightly smaller production; but with the new energy that the fandom has seen recently, we have the perfect opportunity to bring more people to it.
At the moment, the only official way to connect with the Rally organizers is through their Facebook groups. They have two, the Raggedy Ann Rally group for official announcements, and the Raggedy Ann Rally Social Club for general discussion.
But if you don't use Facebook and are still interested in discussing plans for the Rally, you can join the Raggedy Ann Rally Discord Server, run by us here at RARE.
FAQ:
|
Where is it?
|
When is it?
|
What sort of events are there?
|
What are the accommodations?
|
How do I get my ticket for the banquet?
|
What are "happies"?
|
Do people come in cosplay?
|
How do I become a vendor?
The character theme for the 2024 Rally is Cleety the Clown!
Each year, people get a chance to vote on which Gruelle character will get to be next year's theme. This character appears on flyers, t-shirts, happies, and just generally anything involving the rally for that specific year.
Art by November Gorrell/NovellaG
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 2024, it will be held June 6th, 7th, and 8th.
What sort of events are there?
All eventa are updated for 2024 unless marked otherwise!
Thursday, June 6th:
|
Early Bird Get-together: a meetup for people who arrive early!- Time: 5:30 pm
- Location: Covered Pavillion near 135 N Oak, Arcola, IL
Friday, June 7th:
|
Rag Dolly Musical Showcase: Organized by RARE, we will be performing 8 songs from the Rag Dolly musical. No charge, tickets are free.- Time: 11:30 am - 12:30 pm (doors open for seating at 11)
- Location: Arcola Lodge, 111 South Locust, Arcola, IL
More info
Join us for the first official performance of the Rag Dolly music in 38 years!
Musical numbers:
- Gingham and Yarn
- Carry On
- Diagnosis
- The Light
- Blue
- Rag Dolly
- Never Get Away
- What Did I Lose/Somewhere
- Gingham and Yarn reprise
Performed by: Presley Ellison, Gwyneth Gaunt, November Gorrell, Hazel Hawlik, Grey Lee, McKenah Rose, & Brooklyn Williams
Music and lyrics by Joe Raposo, arrangement by Hazel Hawlik
|
Nickel Auction:- Time: 1:00 - 4:00 pm
- Location: Covered Pavillion near 135 N Oak, Arcola, IL
More info
Raggedy attendees are invited to bring items to sell. You get the money for the sale! In the past there have been items sell for nickels and things sell for hundreds. You never can tell!!
Rules:
- You can only sell items in lots of 3 (three) at a time. A bag and an auction form will be available. You must fill out the auction form.
- Please write a short description of your item to be sold and put it with your items in the bag. (this way we are sure to keep your things together and sell them one after the other.).
- The designated auctioneer will auction your Items to the crowd.
- Runners will have a red solo cup for the winners to put their money in ( try to have correct change / but if you don’t we will have some change and there will be a money changer on hand to help you get correct change.
- The cup of money will be passed to the owner and another bag of articles will be auctioned, one item at a time
via Kathy Ellis on the Raggedy Ann Rally Facebook
|
Banquet Dinner & Silent Auction: the first main event; hear the opening announcements, chat with friends, and give out "happies" (little handmade trinkets based on this year's theme)! This is the only event to require an entry ticket; the $28 meal ticket includes the buffet dinner.- Time: 6:00 - 9:00 pm (doors open at 5:30)
- Location: Yoder’s Kitchen, 1195 E. Columbia St, Arthur, IL
More info
Friday, June 7, 2024
6:00 P.M. serving time
Arrive no earlier than 5:15 pm, to view & bid on auction items
We will begin the banquet with a short activity to see which table gets to “Belly Up to the Buffet” first!!
The “all you can eat” buffet menu again will feature Yoder’s delicious fried chicken, shrimp, and roast beef, home made pies & other select Amish homemade fare.
Entertainment by R.A.R.E
Special Table gifts - Bring your Happies!AM ticket, a name tag with your Bidder ID on back, and your dinner gift will be given when you enter - stop at the Registration area
- You are welcome to begin bidding on silent auction items when you arrive after 5:15.
- This is the place and time people pass out their Happies.
- Please select your seat and mark it by writing your name on the back of your ticket and placing it at your eating spot.
via Kathy Ellis on the Raggedy Ann Rally Facebook
- Your Bidder ID is the name you will use during the silent auction, use this name instead of your real name when writing down your bids
- Bidder IDs will be called out at the end of the night for you to pick up and pay for your winnings
Saturday, June 8th:
|
Vendor Hall: a market of Raggedy Ann goods and art, vintage and homemade- Time: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Location: Arcola Center
More info
Door prizes will be drawn once an hour from 10am - 3pm! Sign-up for door prizes is at the front table, anyone can fill out a form, tickets for the drawing are free. Prizes will be on display.
Voting for next year's Rally character will also take place at the front table!
|
Homemade Ice Cream & Raggedy Cookies: enjoy an afternoon snack!- Time: 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
- Location: Tuscola Candy Kitchen
|
Bingo:- Time: 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm (or until everything is gone)
- Location: Arcola Center
More info
Please join us to play and have some Raggedy Fun!!!
Thanks, Raggedy Friends. We will need donations for the Bingo table. Please bring to Melissa's booth as soon as possible.via Melissa Green on the Raggedy Ann Rally Facebook
Bingo takes place in the same area as the vendor hall as the market is winding down, often times vendors will donate leftover goods to the bingo that they don't want to ship home.
|
RARE Cosplay Meetup: a meetup for revival effort members and fans of the musical. Come in cosplay if you have it, we'll be goofing around and taking photos, and getting pictures on the Raggedy Ann bench together!- Time: 5:00 pm (TBD)
- Location: Johnny Gruelle Memorial
|
Rag Dolly 1984 ESIPA footage screening:- Time: after the cosplay meetup (TBD)
- Location: One of our hotel rooms, to be given out at the cosplay meetup
Sunday, June 9th:
|
RARE Cracker Barrel Brunch: another meetup! Plan on ordering your own food.- Time: 9:00 am (TBD)
- Location: Cracker Barrel in Mattoon, Il
What are the accommodations?
Transportation:
The nearest airport is in Champaign, Illinois, though you can also fly into Chicago. If you're lucky 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. We've been able to get an Uber from Champaign to Arcola, though. Since many of the events are scattered throughout the town and surrounding area, you will have to plan ahead to make sure you have a ride. Many of the people who are going 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 most of the events in Arcola. The Best Western is close by but across the highway.
|
Best Western|
Quality Inn|
Arcola Inn|
Holiday Inn Express|
Super 8|
Baymont by WyndhamFood:
Arcola has a handful of small resturants, as well as a McDonalds and a Dairy Queen. If you're staying in the Arcola Inn or Quality Inn they will be within walking distance, if you're staying at 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 in advance via a check and printed (or handwritten) form. Details are copied below from a post Kathy made to the Facebook groups. The address for mailing the form can be found on the PDF below. You can also message Kathy Ellis directly on Facebook (preffered) or use her email, rags_r_us@yahoo.com (may take longer, or get lost), or contact Kathy or us via the Facebook and Discord groups above.
UPDATE! There is now a PDF you can download which has all the needed information, and the form included on the bottom!
Raggedy Ann Rally Banquet & Silent Auction Reservation Info
Dinner Reservation fees are:
Children under 3 are free
Children 3 to 10 are $23
All others: $28
Return the bottom of this form to: Andrea Simmons [CONTACT FOR ADDRESS]
Please include your check made out to: John Ellis
All Reservations MUST be received by: May 22, 2024
Checks must be received by May 22nd.
Yoder's is under different management currently so any reservations after May 22, called in or payments at the door will have a late fee charge of $5.00 each.
We are looking forward to seeing you again this year!
via Kathy Ellis on the Raggedy Ann Rally Facebook
Reservation Form
Address__
Phone __
Children under 3 #___ No Charge
Children 3 to 10 #___ at $23 each: $___
Adults #___ at $28 each: $___
Name of each Adult or Child wishing to bid @ Auction:
Check number: ___ Amount of check: $___
via Kathy Ellis on the Raggedy Ann Rally Facebook
What are "happies"?
"Happies" are little trinkets given out during the banquet dinner. They can be little toys, keychains, cards, stickers, like little party favors! They're almost always Raggedy Ann themed, and often also themed around the 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 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?
At one point, the festival had a whole costume parade! It doesn't anymore, but that doesn't mean we don't show up in cosplay!
On Friday there will be a designated Raggedy Ann Revival Effort hangout and cosplay meetup. You don't have to show up in costume, but you're invited to! This started as a way for those with possibly complicated and uncomfortable costumes to take pictures and be silly while leaving Saturday free to hang out at the market.
But you also won't be alone in cosplay at the market either, there will always be a couple RARE members in costume. Many regular rallygoers miss the days when more people dressed up, and are always excited when people do!
How do I become a vendor?
Vendor applications for 2024 are still open!
The vendor fee is $20, and you fill out a simple form. You're also allowed to add helpers to the form, but the vendor hall doesn't require paid tickets for attendees in the first place. Vendor set up takes place Friday and Saturday morning before it opens to the public, and take down is Saturday after closing. Vendors are provided with an 8ft square space and a table, and arrangements can be made if you need more.
To get a vendor form, either message Kathy Ellis directly on Facebook (preffered) or use her email, rags_r_us@yahoo.com (may take longer, or get lost).
All times have been confirmed for 2024
|
Vendor Set-up times:- Thursday evening on request
- Friday: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
- Saturday: 8:00 am to 9:00 am
|
Vendor Take-down times:- Saturday: 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm
See you soon!
