The socially-distanced Dodge County flea market and vendor fair occurs monthly on Saturday mornings from 8:00 am – 2:00 pm. The fairgrounds will host the next event indoors and outdoors this Saturday, July 18th.

The monthly flea market concession stand has raised funds for Frosty’s Fosters Animal Rescue. Frosty’s Fosters is a local non-profit organization that helps animals in need within the Dodge County area find their forever home. Profits from Saturday’s concessions will go directly to Frosty’s Dream, a fundraising campaign, that will help the animal rescue purchase land for the organization and the animals. With a fundraising goal of $300,000, this land would give the organization more space to help more animals in the community. Frosty’s Fosters is already half-way to reaching its goal of securing these funds for space.

The socially distanced flea market and vendor fairs remain a large portion of the organizations fundraising efforts. Cancellation of spring and summer events, due to COVID-19 have halted other fundraising for the first half of the year. Adoption events and online fundraising activities have also been difficult to hold, due to event restrictions and the personal needs of their volunteers and supporters.

Due to these restrictions, the Dodge County Fairgrounds is thrilled to be available to host the monthly concession stand. Every meal, snack or cold beverage will help an animal in need and help the organization secure a new, grander space for the animals and volunteers. The flea market continues to be a space where customers learn more about the organization and may choose to adopt an animal, after leaving the vendor fair.

Even though fundraising activities have stopped, adoptions have still been quite successful during the pandemic. Families and individuals have been more available to bring an animal into their home and find a loving companion during these quieter times at home.

Although adoption rates remain quite high, Frosty’s Fosters still struggles with the number of dogs that are facing tough situations in states, like Alabama. The local organization just does not have enough foster homes to transport more animals up to Wisconsin to be fostered. This is another reason that Frosty’s Dream exists – so that there would be more space to temporally home these animals, facing euthanasia in other areas of the country. This space would also serve as a “safe haven” for many outdoor, stray and surrendered cats.

Individuals interested in learning more about the organization should visit their website or their Facebook page for fundraising updates, as well as information on hosting and adopting animals. Donations to Frosty’s Dream may be made directly online. All of your donations will directly-impact the animals and help the organization create its very own facility for the animals. If every reader of the Dodge County Fairgrounds Facebook page donated just $5.00, the organization would receive $85,000 to help these animals in need.

Are you interested in donating supplies or have a fundraising idea to help the animals? You may visit their Amazon Wishlist for a list of items that the organization and the animals are currently in need of. Additional questions may be directed to Fostina Uelmen at 920-382-5004 or [email protected].

Remaining flea market and vendor fair dates include July 18, August 29, September 19 and October 17. To stay informed regarding last-minute changes, upcoming events and cancellations, we encourage you to receive the latest notifications via our Facebook page and also subscribe to the Dodge County Fairgrounds newsletter.

by Jamie Adcock author of runningdivamom.com and sunprairiemom.com