01/31/2023
The end of an era...
We sincerely regret to report that The Milan Improvement Project (all volunteer) – known as MIP or The Bob Ericksen Craft Fair – must close the doors on our fundraising organization. This show has been a staple our area since 1971, so it’s been extremely hard to make this decision.
As an organization, our main goal was to be a fundraising mechanism. We have always been able to give to surrounding organizations, schools and communities that were in need. But, attendance has dwindled, year after year. The crafting vendors move on to other areas and/or shows. Many have retired out of the business, not to be replaced. Craft shows lost their luster for a bit...COVID also had an impact.
Unfortunately, the result of all that, is that we've barely been able to cover expenses in the last 10 years. This has greatly impacted our ability to give, which caused our contributions to decrease in size and the number of organizations we can help to dwindle. The last few years, we’ve barely made enough to cover the expense of running the show, depleting all our resources.
We do want to thank ALL past attendees, some who’ve been loyal year after year! Also a BIG thanks to our volunteer groups who, without them, there would not have been an MIP:
• Bob Ericksen’s Dealership – Thank you for your generous donation of the use of your facilities. Two weekends a year you closed down, cleaned out and allowed us in!
• Blackhawk Fire Department
• Milan Lion’s Women’s Club
• Boy Scouts
• Pythians
• Milan Chamber
• Johannes Buses
• Milan Girl’s Softball
and more!
And Thank You to all you individual volunteers for your time in planning and staffing everything from food booths to traffic control to trash pick up.
It has been our pleasure serving our community!
