FORT THOMAS, Ky. – If you’re planning on attending the 2nd Annual Fort Thomas Tour of Homes, you’ve come to the right place. Below is a list of all things tour. It’s all you need to know if you go.
Ticket:
Your ticket and tour map will be available at Will Call under the name indicated at left. Will Call will be located at the Fort Thomas, Ky., at the Community Center at 100 Cochran St., between 10 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24. Children 12 years and older only.
Tour:
Noon to 4:30 p.m. with shuttle transportation from the Fort Thomas Community Center. Ample parking is available near the community center and Tower Park. If you use your own transportation, off street parking is available but may be limited near the tour homes.
You may start the tour at any home and tour in the order you prefer.
Reception:
Noon to 4:30 p.m. at the Fort Thomas Community Center. The reception is open during tour times. You’re invited you to stop by before, after or during your tour to sample complimentary appetizers, desserts and beverages. Enjoy live music, raffle items, a silent auction and more.
Questions?:
See http://www.charitiesguildnky.com/ for additional information. You may also contact us at: nkycharitiesguild@yahoo.com.
Everything you need to know:
What is this?
The CGNK Fort Thomas Tour of Homes is a community event offering a chance to tour seven beautiful homes and the new Fort Thomas Military Museum. Through ticket sales, corporate sponsorships, Grand Raffle and auction proceeds, the event will raise money for the CGNK Shoe Fund and the Northern Kentucky Children’s Advocacy Center, which provides child-friendly services and support to victims of child abuse and their non-offending family members and/or caretakers.
How old are the tour homes? Are they all on a historic register?
The seven homes on the tour were built between 1890 and 1939. The homes are not on a historic register, however each home has been lovingly restored, redecorated or remodeled. There is a wonderful sense of history along with intriguing stories about these homes that you won’t want to miss!
How much are tickets to the event?
Tickets are $25 per person.
How can I purchase tickets?
There are three ways to purchase tickets.
- Tickets may be purchased online at http://www.charitiesguildnky.com/. For your convenience and privacy, payments are processed on Pay Pal’s secure server.
- A ticket order form may also be accessed at http://www.charitiesguildnky.com/.
The form may be printed, completed and mailed with payment by check to: CGNK P.O. Box 75126 Ft. Thomas, KY, 41075.
- Tickets are available for purchase at Citizen’s Bank in Fort Thomas
Tickets can also be purchased the day of the tour at the Ft Thomas Community Center (“Mess Hall”) located in Tower Park.
I purchased my ticket online / by mail. When will I receive my ticket?
Your ticket and tour map will be available for pick up at Will Call, located at the Fort Thomas Community Center (“Mess Hall”) inside Tower park beginning at 10 a.m. on Oct. 24. Will Call will remain open until 3:30 p.m.
I purchased my ticket at Citizens Bank. Do I need to go to Will Call?
Tour patrons who purchased tickets at Citizens Bank were given their tickets at the point of purchase. Your tour brochure / program is your ticket and contains the tour map.
I lost the ticket given to me at Citizens Bank. What should I do?
Notify the Guild at nkycharitiesguild@yahoo.com. They will prepare another ticket and leave for you at Will Call. Bring a photo ID to claim your replacement ticket. Will Call will be located at the Fort Thomas Community Center (“Mess Hall”) located in Tower Park between 10 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24.
How many tickets are available?
We plan to sell approximately 500 tickets.
Do I have to start the tour at noon?
You may begin the tour at any time after noon. The tour concludes and all homes will be closed at 4:30 p.m.. Therefore, we recommend that tour patrons begin the tour no later than 3 p.m. so you may see several homes.
How long will it take to complete the tour?
The time it will take to complete the tour will vary depending on your pace, but we expect most people can complete a tour of all seven homes in two to three hours.
Where do I start the tour on Oct. 24?
You may start the tour at any home and tour in the order you prefer.
Where can I get a map of the tour / route?
A map of the tour route will be available on the tour brochure. The tour brochure will also serve as your ticket and will be available at Will Call on tour day if you do not already have it.
Do I have to take the bus or can I drive my own car to the homes on tour?
You may use your own transportation. Off street parking is available but may be very limited near many of the tour homes. Please take care to park legally without blocking driveways or fire hydrants.
Can I walk the tour? Can I ride my bike?
You may walk the tour. However, the distance between the first and last tour home is roughly three miles. In the interest of time, walking the entire tour route is not recommended.
However, many of the tour homes are located within walking distance of another tour home. For instance, the home on Greene St backs up to Tower Park – where you will find the Community Center (“Mess Hall”) for the reception and the Military Museum; The home on Grand Avenue leads closely to the two homes on Chalfonte and then South Fort Thomas Avenue; and finally the two homes towards the North end of Fort Thomas Avenue: on Riverside and Barrett Drive.
You may wish to take the bus between these groups of homes yet walk to those that are located near one another.
You may ride a bike to the tour homes however bike racks are not provided and bikes may not be secure while you are touring. CGNK and the homeowners cannot be responsible for lost, stolen or damaged bicycles.
Is there a charge for the tour bus?
Tour buses are provided at no additional charge. There are five eight-passenger vans that will be running a continuous staggering loop of the tour route.
Where can I park if I want to take the bus?
You may park in Tower Park, near the Ft Thomas Community Center or along the route, although off street parking may be limited. Tower Park offers several public parking areas, please take care not to park in private (homeowner) spaces. Tour buses will stop at the Fort Thomas Community Center parking lot every 10-15 minutes.
How late will the buses run?
Tour transportation will run from noon to 5 p.m.
Can I bring my child with me on the tour?
Children 12 years and older are welcome to attend the tour and reception.
Does my child need a ticket? Is there a special price for children?
Yes. Children 12 years and older are welcome to attend the tour and reception and will need a ticket. All tickets are $25 each.
Are restrooms available on the tour?
Yes. Restroom facilities are available at the reception in the Fort Thomas Community Center during the tour. Restrooms in tour homes are not open to the public.
Do I need to go to the reception after I complete the tour?
Tour patrons may join the reception at any time between noon and 4:30 p.m. Refreshments will be available from local restaurants, Grand Raffle tickets will be available for purchase and auction items will be available for bidding.
Do I have to stay at the reception until 4:30 p.m. to participate in the auction?
No. This year we are offering a Closed Bid Auction. Anyone wishing to submit a bid on a fantastic basket may do so at any time during the reception. The highest bidder (who submits her bid first, if there are more than one “high bid”) will be declared the winner at the end of the reception. If you are not present, you will be contacted by phone to claim your prize at the close of the event.
What type of food can I expect at the reception?
Local restaurants are providing samples of some of their signature items, including appetizers, sandwiches and more.
How can I learn about items that will be available for auction at the reception?
Prior to the event, we will post a catalog describing items available for auction at http://www.charitiesguildnky.com/. Auction catalogs will also be available for review at the reception.
How can I learn about items that will be available for the Grand Raffle in the homes?
Prior to the event, we will post a catalog describing Grand Raffle items at http://www.charitiesguildnky.com/. Each home will also display the Grand Raffle items and we will have a list of included items at the reception.
What if I miss a house that has a Grand Raffle prize I am interested in?
Each home will feature a Grand Raffle basket and have those items set up inside the house. Each basket will also be represented at the reception with ticket collection occurring at both locations.
Do I have to pay cash for Grand Raffle tickets?
The Grand Raffle liaisons at each home will be able to sell you tickets for any raffle basket. Payment can be cash or check. If you would like to use your credit card to purchase Grand Raffle tickets, you may do so at the reception (each basket will be represented at the reception, as well as in the homes).
How can I pay for items purchased at the auction?
The Charities Guild of Northern Kentucky prefers payment in cash or by personal check. We will also gladly accept payment via Visa or MasterCard. We are unable to accept American Express or Discover cards.
Who is the Northern Kentucky Children’s Advocacy Center?
The Northern Kentucky Children’s Advocacy Center provides a coordinated response to concerns of child abuse in a child-focused environment offering prevention, evaluation and treatment to children and families.
Responding to child sexual abuse is a complex process requiring the input and effort of a wide variety of professionals. The Northern Kentucky Children’s Advocacy Center is a place where community professionals gather to work toward the best outcome possible to ensure the child’s safety and well-being.
Who is the Charities Guild of Northern Kentucky?
The Charities Guild of Northern Kentucky (CGNK) is a volunteer based non-profit organization of 50 community-minded women. Through fundraising and outreach we focus on improving the lives of children and families in the Northern Kentucky area. CGNK has been active in the community for over 20 years.
Each year we host one event as the primary fundraiser for our organization. The funds generated support the CGNK Shoe Fund and a local charity that we have selected for that year.
In recent years CGNK has provided financial support to the Children’s Law Center (2003), Milestones (2004), St. Paul’s Childcare & Education Facility (2005), In Return (2006), Welcome House of Northern Kentucky (2007), and Shoulder to Shoulder (2009).
The CGNK Shoe Fund provides hundreds of shoes annually to underprivileged school children in Northern Kentucky by issuing vouchers for shoe purchases. The vouchers are distributed by local schools, churches and social service agencies. Recipients redeem shoe vouchers for up to $25 towards a shoe purchase. In fact, over the past several years we have provided nearly 400 pair of shoes to local children annually.
For more information, as well as information on CGNK membership opportunities, visit: http://www.charitiesguildnky.com/
I’d like my company / business to be involved in the next CGNK Fort Thomas Tour of Homes.
The success of the CGNK Fort Thomas Tour of Homes is dependent upon involvement from businesses throughout Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati. There are opportunities for companies to make cash or in kind donations. Please contact us via email at nkycharitiesguild@yahoo.com, or by mail at CGNK PO Box 75126 Fort Thomas, KY 41075 and we’ll be sure to get in touch prior to the next tour of homes.
I’d like to recommend a home for the next CGNK Fort Thomas Tour of Homes.
The Guild is developing a form that will appear on their Web site for individuals wishing to volunteer their home or nominate another home for the next tour. In the meantime, contact them via e-mail at nkycharitiesguild@yahoo.com, or by mail at CGNK P.O. Box 75126 Fort Thomas, KY, 41075.
Provide your name, phone number and e-mail address, the address of the home and name of the homeowner and a brief description of why you would like to see this home on the tour.
