PORT ANGELES — A doll of a show will dance into the hearts of visitors to the Vern Burton Community Center, 308 E. Fourth St., today (Saturday).
Admission will be $2 to the Promise of Spring Doll Show set from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Proceeds from the show will benefit the 2015 campaign of the Peninsula Daily News’ “hand up, not a handout” Peninsula Home Fund.
In addition, those who also bring a canned food item for the Port Angeles Food Bank will receive a free ticket toward a door prize drawing.
More than 40 vendors from all over the state will offer dolls, clothing, tea sets and other accessories, said Dori Beachler, president of Just Dolls of Washington, a North Olympic Peninsula club that has sponsored the show for 19 years.
Dancing dolls
Doll club members will put together a display of dancing dolls to illustrate this year’s theme: Dancing with the Dolls.
“We hope to also have ballroom dancers walking around the aisles in their ballroom outfits,” Beachler said, adding that “sometimes, some of the vendors dress up, too.”
Admission buys one free door prize ticket — more tickets can be purchased — and drawings are planned every half-hour for prizes ranging from dolls to accessories.
A dancer doll — Isabelle, the 2014 American Girl Doll — will be the grand prize in the drawings.
Every American Girl Doll has a story, and Isabelle’s tale is that she wants to be a dancer, so she practices and makes her own costumes.
She comes dressed in a leotard and demi tutu, Beachler said.
Because it was last year’s doll of the year, the 18-inch doll can’t be purchased anymore, Beachler said.
It retailed at about $120 and will be given away with such accessories as a plastic horse for her to ride.
Antique to modern
Dolls and teddy bears from antique to modern will be displayed and/or sold, Beachler said.
Antique dolls will range from 100 to 200 years old, she said, adding that two vendors in particular stock antiques.
Favorite dolls that will be seen include dolls from the 1920s and ’30s, early Shirley Temple dolls, dolls from the ’50s and ’60s such as Chatty Kathy and Tiny Tears, and dolls based on characters in books.
All kinds of accessories will be offered, including shoes, stockings and other clothing — including antique doll clothes — tea sets and, now and then, doll houses.
Also on site will be people who can restring dolls, Beachler said.
Anyone who brings in an American Girl Doll for a remake can have its hair restyled by Diana Smith, a Sequim member of the club, for a $1 donation to the Peninsula Home Fund.
Lunch and beverages will be available for a small cost, Beachler said.
She expects between 200 and 400 people to come to the show.
Fundraising goal
Club members hope to raise $500 for the Home Fund.
The Home Fund is a safety net for people in Jefferson and Clallam counties when they suddenly face an emergency situation and can’t find help elsewhere.
From Port Townsend to Forks, from Quilcene and Brinnon to Sequim and LaPush, the Home Fund provides hot meals for seniors; meeting rent, energy and transportation needs; warm winter coats for kids; home repairs for the low-income; needed eyeglasses and prescription drugs; dental work; safe and drug-free temporary housing.
Small but mighty
Just Dolls of Washington is a “small but mighty” nonprofit that has members from Freshwater Bay to Discovery Bay, Beachler said.
It is a member of the United Federation of Doll Clubs.
“It’s open to anyone on the Peninsula who loves dolls” and teddy bears, Beachler said.
For more information about the club, phone Beachler at 360-683-1006 or email dorimusic@yahoo.com.
________
Managing Editor/News Leah Leach can be reached at 360-417-3531 or at leah.leach@peninsuladailynews.com.
