The fall Whale of a Sale children’s consignment event will take place Sept. 4 – 6 once again at the Indiana State Fairgrounds Ag/Hort Building. More than 500 consignors will bring 55,000 items and six football fields worth of children’s clothing in the 48,000 square-foot building! New and gently-used upscale children’s and maternity items are offered at a fraction of retail cost.
Started in 2009, Whale of a Sale takes place each spring and fall. Due to the increased popularity and tremendous turnout over the years, the event moved from Carmel to Indianapolis, doubling its size. Three public shopping days and one private pre-sale day accommodate hundreds of customers.
The event features popular brands such as Gymboree, Baby Gap, Ralph Lauren, Janie and Jack, Peg Perego, Graco, Fisher Price, Pottery Barn Kids and many more. Shoppers can expect to find upscale fall and winter clothing, toys, furniture, bedding, accessories, bikes, maternity and a variety of area vendors.
Admission is FREE. (Fairgrounds parking is $5.) Public sale hours are Thursday, Sept. 4 from 4 – 8 p.m.; Friday, Sept. 5 from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 6 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Many items are half price on Saturday. Facebook/Twitter/Instagram fans of Whale of a Sale may also shop early Thursday, Sept. 4 starting at 2 p.m.
Demand to shop early has led to a VIP pre-sale Thursday ticket that can be purchased for $10 (at www.whale-sale.com) for customers wanting to shop before the general public beginning at 9 a.m.. Consignors and volunteers shop the evening before.
Whale of a Sale was voted the #1 consignment sale in Indianapolis from Indy’s Child Parenting Magazine readers! Consignment is increasingly popular as families find kids growing out of clothing and equipment quickly, and also desire to be “green” by recycling gently-used gear.
“I always find great deals for my three kids,” said Laura Jarred, Carmel resident and customer. “I bought barely worn name-brand clothes and fun toys that were fairly priced. For the fall sale, I’ll look for warm clothes and holiday gifts and not have to spend a fortune.”
Individuals interested in selling items must register at www.whale-sale.com. Consignors price their items and drop them off in advance and need not be present at the sale. They receive 60 percent of their total sales and the opportunity to receive up to 75 percent by volunteering. Consignors receive passes to shop the private pre-sale Sept. 3. The average consignor earns $378. Unsold clothing can be donated to charity partner Good Samaritan Network of Hamilton County.
In addition to the two large seasonal sales, Whale of a Sale will be expanding with a late September Women’s Sale including clothing and accessories and a Toy Sale Dec 3 – 4. Both of the new sales will be at the Fishers Forum Conference Center.
Butler University alums and Carmel moms, Courtney O’Neil and Jennifer Hare, are the founders of the sale. O’Neil says they enjoy being able to provide local families a, “fun, fashionable and clean bargain-hunting experience. We are NOT a garage sale – expect upscale finds.”
Whale of a Sale is an upscale children and maternity consignment sale bringing families together to sell and buy gently-used, top-quality items in a department-store-like setting. Visit www.whale-sale.com. The Indiana State Fairgrounds is located at 1202 East 38th St., Indianapolis, IN 46205.
