Life's a Beach at the June Fete this year: at least that's what we have to hope for.
The largest annual fund-raising benefit for the Auxiliary of University Medical Center at Princeton is known for its washouts, and every year, even after the Fete moved to drier terrain in the Princeton Stadium two years ago, the specter of rain is always there.
So perhaps "Greetings from Beach Fete 2006" will ensure sunny skies while playing on a theme that, surprisingly, has never been used.
The all-day fair featuring food, shopping, and entertainment will be held Saturday, June 10, with proceeds going to support emergency cardiac care and heart-related community education and screening programs at the hospital.
At Monday's announcement at Township Hall, this year's co-chairs, Pam Garbini of Plainsboro and Kim Schwing of Pennington, said that the 2005 "Groovy Fete" had "raised the bar" because of the extensive music programming and the successful outcome and scheduling of the event. Last year's co-chairs, Christine Calandra and Brooke Rossi, were on-hand for the announcement.
Fete-related events will begin on Friday, June 9 from 5 to 8 p.m., with the traditional auction preview and silent bidding, and flea market preview. There will be expanded shopping at the Art Tent and Lane of Shops; children's games, musical entertainment, and food vendors will also be open.
The Beach Fete will continue Saturday, June 10 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the Flea Market, the live Auction, a 10K race (plus a one-mile "Fun Run" for children), games for all ages, live entertainment, the Strawberry Patch, a 50/50 raffle, and a surprise car raffle. A selection of T-shirts and caps with the 2006 Fete logo will be available for purchase.
Barry Rabner, president and CEO of Princeton HealthCare System, the hospital's parent company, thanked the numerous volunteers who help put the Fete together and referenced the hospital's relocation efforts: "Someday it will be nice to do this on our own property."
Ms. Garbini said that while there are still some details in flux, programming has for the most part solidified. "We're going to maintain some old traditions, and we're going to move some edges a little bit and do some new things," she said.
The annual Fete Dance, which is normally held the previous evening, has not yet been set and could move to the week before the main event, Ms. Garbini added. Last year, the dance was in Jadwin Gym, but this year alternate locations are being examined, she said, adding that with the auction and flea market coming the evening before, it could make scheduling easier overall to have the dance on an entirely different day.
For more information, call the Auxiliary office at (609) 497-4069, or visit www.Princetonhcs.org/auxiliary.