This past June marked the 36th anniversary of the Moss Avenue Sale & Festival (MASF). The neighborhood was filled with thousands of visitors who shopped from countless vendors, snacked on fare from local favorites and listened to a wide variety of music that emanated from front yards and porches.
The sale has adapted to its audience and grown in size & revenue over the years in great part to the MASF committee under the leadership of Jan Krouse. She tirelessly leads her committee and works directly with vendors to ensure a smooth running operation. Thank you Jan!
This year’s sale was another success, with net earnings of approximately $9,500.
So what becomes of the revenue earned through the sale?
Originally intended to support the hanging of seasonal greens during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday, the program has evolved to support other neighborhood initiatives specific to maintaining and promoting a quality of life. As a board, we believe it is vital for us as an organization to reinvest in our neighborhood to help maintain and preserve its historic nature. As we prepare the annual budget in March, we solicit input from membership as to what programs they would like to see us undertake. Once those programs are defined, we budget for them accordingly and do not make any real investment until after the revenue from the MASF has been realized. Only then are investments made.
Projects in recent years have included placing decorative stop sign posts throughout the neighborhood, support for the Western Avenue Greenway, and a sizable investment in the Moss Bradley Revolving Fund. We think you will agree that these initiatives and others in the future enhance the quality of life in our neighborhood and in Peoria generally.
Proceeds from the sale also support the regular activities of our Association, such as the annual display of holiday greens on neighborhood light poles, the neighborhood potluck and annual meeting, and the July 4th Celebration.
This year’s proceeds will allow us to support the infant care program at Westminster Church which allows young mothers to complete their education, the preservation efforts at the Hale Memorial Church on High Street at Main, and a new MBRA tree program that reimburses neighborhood residents for planting trees along the streets within the MBRA boundaries. Details for this program can be found here.
On behalf of the Moss Bradley Residential Association I wish to thank all of you for your continued support of our neighborhood through your cooperation with the annual Moss Avenue Sale and Festival – especially those of you who provide your front yard for the vendors. The availability of yards to accommodate dealers is the most important factor in the Sale’s recent success. Without more space the Sale and the benefits it brings will be unable to grow. The Sale is likewise dependent on dozens of volunteers who help plan the event, monitor street barricades to restrict traffic during the Sale, erect No Parking signs, and contribute in many other ways. Many of your neighbors contribute their time and energy to the Sale.
Thank you to everyone for making this one of Peoria’s premiere Summer events and showcases our neighborhood to thousands of people.