Give a little, get even more. That’s the concept behind the Jean Lake Purchase program, one of the often untapped gems of the upcoming TroyFest event.

The program is designed to make shopping easier for festival patrons while helping support the festival and, most important, help directly recruit and support the participating artists.

It’s the simple: For each contribution a patron makes to the Jean Lake Purchase Program, 90 percent is returned to the patron in the form of “TroyFest Bucks,” which can be used at any of the vendors at the April 24-25 downtown Troy event.

Ten percent of the donation helps fund the festival.

For participants – the artists and crafts-people who travel from near and far to participate in TroyFest – knowing that local patrons are purchasing TroyFest Bucks well in advance of the festival sends the message that locals are ready and willing to purchase artwork or crafts on show at TroyFest. And, quite frankly, that’s what keeps many of these talented artists coming back year-after-year. This is, for many, not just a passion, but a livelihood.

For patrons, the program offers something more – a chance to invest, not only in one of the most impressive community events in Alabama but also in the growth and development of the arts here in Troy and in the work of any number of artists, from potters to painters to photographers to jewelry designs.

You can participate in the program for as little as $50, and contributions are tax deductible.

Anyone wanting more information, can contact Bill Thompson at 566-3798; or the Pike County Chamber of Commerce at 566-2294.