In order to keep high quality live music acts coming to Rush County, the Riverside Park Amphitheater Committee’s inaugural Community Picnic will take place rain or shine Saturday.

The family-oriented, fun-filled affair is slated to begin at 2 p.m. and will run until 6 p.m. at the amphitheater.

Activities include The Colts in Motion traveling museum, free hog roast with all the fixins, dinner serenade by the Flatrock River Bluegrass Band, ReMax hot air balloon, fire trucks, ambulances, police cars and helicopters, tons of activities for the kids including a bouncehouse, bake walk and games, and a variety of prizes.

The Rushville All-Star Cheerleaders will perform, and Vicky Richmond will provide DJ services all afternoon.

A silent auction will also be held in conjunction with the day’s activities.

Here’s a listing of the items to be offered up for bid:

Indianapolis Motor Speedway hat and T-shirt ($60 value); Assassins Creed X-Box 360 game ($49 value); autographed Peyton Manning photo ($25 value); autographed Danica Patrick photo ($25 value); autographed Dale Earnhardt Jr. photo ($25 value); men’s’ watch set donated by Rushville Pharmacy ($72 value); Jillians’ Downtown party package ($300 value).

One night stay at the Hyatt , Keystone at the Crossing ($150 value); one night stay at Holiday Inn Express of Rushville ($75 value); five zoo bucks from Cincinnati Zoo ($63 value); two tickets to Newport Aquarium ($38 value); one adult, one youth ticket to Children’s Museum of Indianapolis ($22 value); 30 minute carriage ride for up to four courtesy Yellow Rose Carriages ($100 value); four tickets to Indiana State Museum ($30); two tickets to Holiday World ($80 value); four tickets to Conner Prairie ($75 value).

Two meal passes to Argosy Casino ($38 value); four separate 16-inch pizzas of your choice from Pizza King ($20 each); dinner gift certificate and wine from Flatrock Grill ($60 value); 8-inch ice cream cake from Dairy Queen ($20 value); 12-inch ice cream cake from Dairy Queen ($30 value).

Two tickets to IRT’s performance of “Sherlock Holmes: the Final Adventure” ($100 value); two tickets to Indianapolis Civic Theater ($100 value); two tickets to Phoenix Theater ($50 to 60 value, dependent upon show); two tickets to Shelby County Players’ production of “Fiddler on the Roof” ($24 value); one 4-ticket season membership for Rush County Players ($60); four tickets to Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra’s Lilly Classical Series ($150 value); CD gift package courtesy of 92.3 WTTS ($60 value); VIP concert package from Verizon Wireless Music Center ($200 value).

Clearview Family Christmas Tree Farms wreath and cider gift certificate ($50 value); gift bag from tri-county gifts ($30 value); handmade craft items from Julie’s Country Crafts ($40 value); hooded towel and cloth set from Diane Thalls ($20 value); WISH-TV gift set ($25 value); approximately $500 in various merchandise from Elizabeth’s Keepsakes and Collectibles; medium-sized Longaberger basket handmade at 2007 Rush County Fair, two latte mugs, 13 ounce jar candle and an Entertaining with Longaberger book from Sandy Fussner ($150 value); ladies’ watch set donated by Rushville Pharmacy ($69 value); $100 gift certificate from Gina Miller Photography; 100 percent Alpaca scarf courtesy of Whatapaca! Farms ($100 value); John Deere baseball tee and work gloves courtesy of Smith Implements ($30 value); women’s Carhartt polo and jeans courtesy of Spencer’s Workwear ($80 value); men’s button-up Carhartt shirt and socks courtesy of Spencer’s Workwear ($50 value); $50 Wal-Mart Gift card; Christian Values gift set.

Vera Bradley bowler bag (medallion print), cell phone case, and long-sleeved tee (Kensington print) ($130 value); Vera Bradley handbag, eyeglass case, T-shirt and pocket wallet in petal pink ($130 value); five separate one-hour massages from Therapeutic Touch; haircut and style from Angie Elwell of Illusions Day Spa and Salon ($40 value); haircut and style from Adel Reeve of Illusions Day Spa and Salon ($40 value); haircut and wax from Brittany Morgan of Illusions Day Spa and Salon ($40 value); pedicure courtesy of Penny Keller of Illusions Day Spa and Salon ($25 value); gift certificates and hair products from Vickie Farley ($50 value); All About You gift certificates; Shampoo Bowl gift certificates.

“The Riverside Park Amphitheater has become an important part of the Rushville and Rush County community, providing a venue for great family entertainment as well as a site for weddings, reunions, meetings and other events,” event co-organizer Bonnie Locchetta said. “With each event at the amphitheater we bring more people into town who will hopefully spend money at other businesses in Rushville. With continued community support, we hope to continue to expand our event calendar as well as our reach. We want to invite people from all over southeastern Indiana and beyond to come experience a great day in the park!"

Elizabeth Gist can be contacted at elizabeth.gist@rushvillerepublican.com or at (765) 932-3111 ext. 109. Add a comment to this story at www.rushvillerepublican.com.