Beer, doughnuts highlight Homewood 0.3K
No need to sweat for swag in new 365-yard race
Planners of a fundraising race in Homewood know some participants require more than just cheers from the crowd to keep them going, so they’re providing beer at the start and coffee and doughnuts along the way. And as an incentive to finish, there’s a congratulatory shot of spirits awaiting those who want to celebrate the trek.
The incentives are provided even though the race is only 365 yards long.
Rather than host a normal 3- or 5-kilometer race, organizers with the Homewood Business Association said they wanted to present something unique for those not inclined to sweat.
Dubbed a “fund run for the rest of us,” the Homewood 0.3K takes place Sept. 22 in downtown Homewood. It’s raising money for the village’s newly formed arts council.
“The race is our comingout party,” said Suzy Moore, who’s the secretary of the Homewood Arts Council and co-owner of Ups a Daisy Boutique in the village.
She said the council, which also consists of Bottle and Bottega Homewood owner Greg Lowdon and Moore’s business partner Julie Lawton, heard about a similar fundraiser in Texas that was a resounding success, bringing in more than $20,000.
Moore said the organizer of the Texas event told them they were free to use any ideas from that venture in Homewood. “We thought it would be different, and it’s fun,” she said.
Registration is $30, and participants also will receive a shirt and a “pretentious” Homewood 0.3K bumper sticker.
Participants who pay $60 will receive all the swag without having to traverse the route. They are free to participate in the costume contest planned for the after-party, which will feature live music by the band Staff Infection.
As of Friday, 40 people had registered for the event. The deadline to register is Wednesday.
Moore said she hopes at least 100 people will participate.
The Homewood Arts Council is trying to raise money for an arts center in town, as well as several art gallery spaces.
Moore said officials are looking into a deal for a building in the eventual future, but renovating an existing structure or building a new one could cost in the millions of dollars.
“We’ve got a long way to go (in fundraising),” she said.
For now, Moore said the council is looking to rent a small art gallery space inthe downtown area within the next three to six months.
She said the council wants to create a network of artists in Homewood and collaborate with art students at Homewood-Flossmoor High School to showcase anything from painting and sculpture to poetry and dance.
Moore said some organizers, including Lawton, had been trying to bring a performing arts center to Homewood for several years.
Another person who has been an advocate for more arts in town is the village’s director of economic and community development, Angela Mesaros.
“A center or gallery would attract visitors to Homewood who may not other wise come to our community,” she said. “Visitors can then become new customers for our restaurants, retailers and service businesses.”
Mesaros pointed to research by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning and the American Planning Association that indicates an emphasis on arts can help build community and a sense of place and enhance economic vitality and that the arts should be seen not as a nice “extra” but as part of the necessary ingredients for a town.
The council also is looking for business sponsors for the 0.3K offering any amount up to $1,000.
More information on the event is at runsignup.com/race/il/homewood/homewood03krun.