Garage sales and Allred concert to bring in a crowd

?Hundreds of people will roam Orion in search of bargains on Saturday, June 13.Yes, Saturday is community garage sale day.

Main Street Orion sponsors the annual event, which will feature almost 120 sales from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. In case of bad weather, the sales will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 14. 

The official map is available now at Orion Mart, Orion Drugstore, Orion IGA, BankORION, village hall and Parkside Treasure House. Also, maps will be available the morning of the sale in Central Park, Orion.

A limited number of 12 x 12 spaces will be available in Central Park, where Main Street Orion will have its own booth. Renters are responsible for providing their own tables and tents.

The organization asks that people not compete with the non-profit groups and businesses that are selling food that day.

Orion Athletic Boosters are serving a pork chop lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the park.

Main Street Orion also is preparing to host former Orion resident Bill Allred, who is returning to the village for Jazz in the Park on Wednesday, June 24. 

Bill Allred’s Classic Jazz Band will appear for the seventh time at Jazz in the Park. The group will perform from 7 to 10 p.m. at the band shell in Central Park. 

During intermissions, the Orion Community Band will entertain the audience.

Barbecue, brats, hot dogs, chips, drinks, strawberry shortcake and ice cream will be for sale.

The concert will be held rain or shine. A rain location will be announced later.

Last year’s concert drew a crowd even though 90-mph winds earlier in the day knocked out power all over the area. 

Park Superintendent Arnie Sandberg hooked up a generator to power the music, and Central Park was the only place in miles with lights and sound.

Main Street Orion is hosting the event, which has as sponsors Kirk, Huggins & Esterdahl Funeral Home, Orion Mart, BankOrion and Modern Woodmen of America.

Advance tickets will be sold from Monday, June 8, through Monday, June 22, at the Main Street

Orion office, Orion Village Hall, all BankORION?locations and Northwest Music in Davenport. For more information, phone Main Street Orion at (309) 526-8299.