NORTHFIELD — Resident Deborah Potee says she dreads tag sales, especially negotiating lower prices for items she views with a sentimental value.
“I’ve done some of them and thought ‘I’ll never do another. I’ll just bring (my things) to the Salvation Army,’” she said.
But for the sake of Pioneer Valley Regional School’s band, Potee is willing to make an exception, organizing a fundraising tag sale for Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 55 Main St.
While a tag sale is a frequent summer occurrence, Potee hopes this one will be unlike any other — all with a goal of raising money for the band.
“I just hope it’s unlike a regular tag sale,” she said. “I hope it feels more like a party. I hope band students will stop by and feel festive, and it’ll be a celebration of them.”
Potee said she’s been planning the sale since June, and said money raised will primarily help fund the band’s trip to Washington, D.C., in April. Under the band’s previous director, Nathan Holesovsky, Potee said the students took trips every other year, performing in Nashville and at Toronto’s Heritage Music Festival to name recent trips. She wanted to ensure the tradition would continue under the leadership of new band Director Tim Burns.
“For our family, we love music and the band at Pioneer is incredible,” said Potee, whose two nieces Ella and Jane, and daughter Vivian, are all members of Pioneer’s middle or high school bands. “I just want to keep the spirit of that at a really high level, the excitement around the band.”
Several band members will attend the fundraiser to play their instruments, she said. Six other parents are donating items, as well as baked goods and lemonade for a joint bake sale.
Though a table will include items at $2 or less, Potee said she hopes customers might donate a little extra to the cause, while getting something hopefully useful to them.
“Hopefully they can feel good about where the money is going,” she said.
Those interested in donating quality items are invited to contact Potee at dpotee@hotmail.com or at 413-498-2927. Unless otherwise marked, items not sold will be donated to Salvation Army. The rain date for the tag sale is Sunday.