There is a very unique April Fool’s Day tradition at The Rummage Room in Old Greenwich, which is owned and operated by the Women’s Fellowship of The First Congregational Church … they have LIVE mannequins in their windows each April 1! The tradition was started by manager, Maria Drieghe, over 10 years ago and has become a community favorite.
Volunteers pose in the windows donning items from The Rummage Room from 10 am to 5 pm. Some dress in crazy garb while others dress more sedately. But all of them have fun! It’s a real sight to behold.
Joining the volunteers this year are Associate Pastor of Youth Ministry, Rev. Mark Montgomery and Youth Group Leader, Donald Haviland, who will be manning the windows from 11:00 am to 12:00 noon on Wednesday, April 1.
When asked what kind of reactions the windows get, volunteer Mary Jane Penwell says, “The reactions to the live mannequins are hysterical! Some people walk by, do a double take and then come to a complete standstill. The people in their cars are the funniest! There can be quite a line of cars and trucks backed up when the light is red at the intersection. Their reactions are priceless!”
Penwell explained that some people will wave, others will just stare, and others will even just look away as if this was the most normal thing in the world. “Every year we have people who run home and bring back their children and others who return with their cameras to shoot some pictures,” Penwell said.
The fun gets started at 10 am on April 1! Don’t miss it!
The Rummage Room, which just celebrated its 50th anniversary last year, began in 1964 as an annual rummage sale held at The First Congregational Church of Greenwich. This event was so successful it was transformed into a business housed in a vacant storefront at 191 Sound Beach Avenue in Old Greenwich.
Today, more than 50 years later and still owned and operated by the Women’s Fellowship of The First Congregational Church of Greenwich, The Rummage Room is a great place to find a bargain or to make a tax deductible donation and it is staffed by a manager, four assistants and over 60 volunteers. Over the years, The Rummage Room has been responsible for contributing over four million dollars to local, national and international charitable organizations helping women, children and families.
The Rummage Room is located at 191 Sound Beach Ave in Old Greenwich (203) 637-1875
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