The combined fundraiser for the Crump Theatre and the Tony Stewart Foundation that finally was set to happen Saturday has been postponed until Oct. 30 — the Crump’s 132nd birthday — because of a continuing state limit of 100 people at events. The dinner and auction had sold out at 200 people, according to organizers.
The gathering, “Tap Into the ‘20s,” was originally slated for December, but was postponed because virus case numbers were climbing in Bartholomew County. Ideally, organizers now say they hope many more people will have been vaccinated by October and that the virus threat will be considerably lessened.
They said ticket holders who can’t make the new date will have their purchase refunded.
The event had been moved from a proposed tent on the Crump grounds on Third Street to the Havoc Sportz building at 4555 Kelly St.
Foundation director Erica Raisor acknowledged that interest in the event still was building when the maximum number of sold tickets was reached.
“We probably could have doubled that number,” Raisor said.
Now there is a chance they can indeed sell more tickets, depending upon the county’s medical situation, said Jessica Schnepp, volunteer lead project coordinator at the Crump.
Organizers hope to raise at least $100,000 for the two organizations to split. Strong support for a Crump resurgence — the umpteenth such movement just in the past 20 years alone — has been building the past couple of years. The latest push has been fueled partly by the 131-year-old art-deco structure making Indiana Landmarks 10 Most Endangered structures list in 2019. The building has been closed since 2014.
Originally, Stewart hoped to attend the fundraiser.
The onsite live auction currently includes a never-before-offered night’s stay at Stewart’s private Hidden Hollow Ranch property on Youth Camp Road in Columbus. The package includes dinner and a game night with Stewart, bowling on his lanes, play on his golf simulator, breakfast, fishing and a tour of the property.
“It’s really a great item,” Raisor said.
Jessica Schnepp, the Crump’s volunteer lead project coordinator, has been happy to see ticket buyers’ enthusiasm.
“It’s very exciting for us,” said Schnepp, who will be among event speakers.
Speakers also originally expected include Shalee Darringer, whose senior project involves the Crump, and a couple of Tony Stewart Foundation partners.
