'Avon-opoly' Debuting This Year, Available During Bicentennial

St. Mary School and Parish in Avon is taking a creative approach and making a game of fundraising. Literally.

The parish is selling spaces for new game, “Avon-opoly,” (sort of like that game) which will debut in 2014, coinciding with Avon’s bicentennial celebration.

“Avonopoly: Bicentennial Edition” is letting local businesses get in on a rare opportunity to be included in a piece of Avon history. Based on a familiar and popular board game, local businesses, associations and individuals have the occasion to see their names immortalized in print following the release of the game.

St. Mary plans to produce games for sale, available for $25 each, beginning around Black Friday of this year – and continuing into the bicentennial year.

The concept is the brainchild of parishioner and St. Mary School parents Christine and Erich Papesch.

“My husband and I were trying to brainstorm,” Christine said. “We wanted to create an ‘opoly’ board for a fundraiser for school, have something to recognize local business and do something fun and unique.”

They are taking pre-orders right now.

Erich is organizing the sponsors and spots have been selling rapidly.

"We've gotten a real good response," Erich said. "We have about 15 of 40 spaces left to sell." 

He has a meeting with Shurtech the manufacturers of Duck Tape and sponsors of the city’s annual Duct Tape Festival, tomorrow. The company has expressed an interest in being an overall corporate sponsor. 

"That’s kind of exciting, they’re interested in making it a bigger plan," he said. "The next step is finalized selling spaces and logo and all that."

Sponsorship is also available for “Fate” cards, bricks that surround the board and even on the money. Christine said the different sponsorships allow for individual and business sponsorships on different budgets.

Of the 34 spaces, only nine remain. One card remains for sponsorships and of eight premium spots (such as corner and adjacent spots), only four are left. The Papesches expect big spots to be sold out by the week’s end.

Pre-orders are being taken right now. The game is expected to be available Black Friday leading into bicentennial.

“It’s a great way to show pride during the bicentennial,” Papesch said.

Game board space availability ranges from $750 to $50, with the average board spot available for $350. “Brick” patronage also provides a special way for families to show their Avon pride and add to the fun of game play by having their name printed on the game board.

The closing date for sponsor opportunities is slated for Aug. 1. Interested companies should contact Erich Papesch at avonopoly@yahoo.com to secure a space on the board. “Avonopoly: Bicentennial Edition” games are also available for pre-order by contacting Papesch at the same address.

For additional information contact Christine Papesch, at avonopoly@yahoo.com or via phone at 440-773-0848.