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Page 18 NEWFOUNDLAKELIFE.COM August 2025 Community
Try Your Luck: Penny Sale Delivers Big Since the 1950s
The fun-filled atmosphere of the Penny Sale has been a famil- iar and beloved part of life in the Newfound Region since the early 1950s. Each summer, the com- munity gathers for an evening of laughter and spirited compe- tition — all in support of local causes. This year will be no dif- ferent, as the Rotary Club gears up for another exciting event at Newfound Regional High School on August 14th at 6:30 p.m.
The Penny Sale, first held around 1952, has become one of the region's longest-running traditions, a combination of raffle excitement, community bonding, and charitable giving. “Some people win a lot, some win none, but everyone leaves with a smile,” Bob Broadhurst, Bristol Rotarian, said. “That’s
PHOTO COURTESY OF BOB BROADHURST
meaning they could win again. The more tickets a person buys, the better their odds.
The real suspense begins after all 300 prizes have been awarded across the three rounds. All tick- ets are gathered back into the raffle drum, and the grand prize winners are drawn. In addition to the main event, there's also a silent auction featuring items like rounds of golf, Red Sox tickets, gift baskets, local artwork, and even a truckload of loam.
Prizes with Something for Ev- eryone
The Penny Sale's prize table is always a crowd-pleaser. This year’s offerings include every- thing from gift certificates to local restaurants and businesses to fishing gear, camp chairs, yoga mats, birdhouses, inflatable water
rafts, dog toys, beach toys, gar- den tools, and maple syrup. “We knock on a lot of doors asking for donations,” said Broadhurst. “The response is tremendous. Our local businesses are incredi- bly generous year after year.”
More Than Just Prizes
Though the prizes are ex- citing, the sense of community keeps people coming back. “My favorite part is seeing people from near and far coming to- gether to have fun and support this event,” the organizer shared. “It’s a fun night out, but it also has a deeper meaning.”
Proceeds from the Penny Sale directly benefit youth pro- grams in the Newfound Region. The Rotary Club carefully allo- cates funds to support academic scholarships, vocational awards, literacy initiatives, and other youth-focused efforts. “The peo- ple who come and donate know they’re supporting something good,” said Broadhurst.
Behind the Scenes: A Com- munity Effort
While the event itself lasts just a few hours, the preparation takes weeks — even months. A dedicated team of volunteers secures the venue, organizes lo- gistics, and, most importantly, collects the hundreds of prizes that make the night possible. Though the Rotary Club is well- staffed for the event, they are always looking for prize dona- tions to help keep the event ex- citing and successful. While the volunteer crew is currently well- staffed, the club is always eager to welcome new Rotarians who want to get involved in commu- nity service.
Join the Fun
No registration is required — just show up at Newfound Regional High School at 6:30 p.m. on August 14th and join in the fun. Whether you win one prize or ten (or none at all), you’ll be part of a tradition that has brought joy, generosity, and community spirit to the region for more than 70 years.
So grab a dollar, grab a friend, and get ready to cheer — the Penny Sale is back.
the real magic of the night.” How It Works: Simple, Fun,
and Rewarding
The format is easy to fol-
low, even for first-time attend- ees. There are three main prize rounds throughout the evening,
with each round featuring 100 different prizes. Tickets are sold for just $1 apiece shortly before each round begins. Once a ticket is drawn, the winner gets to pick up their prize, and their ticket goes right back into the drum,