Bargain Shopping Meets Family Fun at SOBO Event

For the tight-budgeted yard sales are a great way to pick up necessary items for the kids, but it's not often that these sales are a true destination for the little ones. Saturday's Family Fun Fest and Huge Yard Sale will feature bargains on used items as well as various items from local vendors and children's entertainment.

The first annual event will be Saturday, July 17 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the First Congregational Church of Milton, rain or shine.  The Family Fun Fest was organized by Milton resident Wendy Garpow and other members of the SOBO Moms club.

SOBO (South of Boston) Moms is a network of 300 mothers in the south shore. Garpow said members live as far south as Duxbury and as far west as West Bridgewater. Until this event, the group was primarily private, holding small events and chatting online.

The group was formed three years ago Betsy Crowley and has since expanded to become the South Shore's largest moms group.

Saturday's event started two years ago as an idea for a multi-family yard sale where moms could buy and sell children's items. Garpow said about six weeks ago, the group set a date. In the last three weeks, however, the real evolution has taken place.

Independent vendors and moms with startup businesses all jumped at the chance to sell their wares. Various groups also stepped up to organize children's activities.

"It's been this dynamic snowball effect," Garpow said.

Each vendor has purchased a table for $20. The table fee goes toward the operation of the event like police detail, church rental and advertising.

Throughout the day, there will be various free activities as well as some that require a small fee.

Mama's Moves Center of Norwell will be hosting three different demonstrations at the Town of Milton gazebo, including itsy bitsy yoga, lil sport and musical movement. Representatives from Ginny's Art Class will holding an activity at 2 p.m. and Oonaugh from Oonaugh's House will be giving free family Irish dance lessons.

Community groups like the Milton Animal League, Friends of the Milton Library and members of the First Congregational Church of Milton will be participating in the event.

"It's a great opportunity for other community groups to get involved," said Garpow, who added the community support has been tremendous.

Space is still available for vendors or community groups who want to get involved. Vendors need to provide their own chairs and tables and will be set up outside. For information or to register for a $20 space, call Wendy Garpow at 781-635-2501 or visit thefamilyfunfest.org.

The Family Fun Fest and Huge Yard Sale could be the beginning of many more public events for SOBO Moms, according to Garpow.

"I think the excitement that this event has generated is going to spawn other events," said Garpow, who added the Fun Fest will become an annual happening.