FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WOWO): If you’ve noticed an abnormally large amount of women carrying colorful bags around Fort Wayne, you aren’t seeing things.
The Vera Bradley Annual Sale kicked off at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday and will run until Sunday.
Its expected to bring in 60,000 shoppers and about $6 million to area stores, restaurants and hotels, according to Visit Fort Wayne.
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There are many different colors, people, tables and balloons to look at during the sale at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum. Tables covered with bright colored bags fill the 108,000 square-foot exposition center.
The space was packed wall to wall with people on Wednesday. Most of the shoppers carried around pink trash bags to put their prospective purchases. It was so packed the overhead speaker constantly called for people to meet at center stage because they lost their group.
Paths close to the wall were especially hard to navigate because people stood there to sort through their bag inventory.
Despite the crowds, most shoppers seemed excited to be at the sale among the crowds and long lines.
“We are trying to highlight the Fort Wayne community,” Vera Bradley CEO Robert Wallstrom told WOWO News. “We love everyone’s enthusiasm and excitement.”
Vera Bradley is partnering with Community Harvest, Allen County SPCA, Mad Ants, Visit Fort Wayne and the TinCaps for the annual sale.
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The luggage and handbag company is also giving 2 percent of its proceeds at the sale Wednesday to the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer. Shoppers can also buy Katalina Pink Lane Passes for $20 to skip the checkout line. Proceeds from the passes also go to the foundation.
For more information or register for the sale, visit the Vera Bradley website.
There is actually a @verabradley paddle board! What?! #verabradleyoutletsale #fortwayne pic.twitter.com/qLy1rLPrnx
— Kylie Havens (@KylieWOWO) April 13, 2016
The #verabradleyoutletsale is going on now through Sunday at the @acwmc! #fortwayne pic.twitter.com/y74yqG7OXa
— Kylie Havens (@KylieWOWO) April 13, 2016
@WOWOFORTWAYNE @KylieWOWO @SaigeDriver See you soon!
— Vera Bradley (@verabradley) April 13, 2016
I’ll be experiencing the @verabradley outlet sale today for the 1st time. Can’t wait to see the madness! #vas16 pic.twitter.com/IRoYtFjfHQ
— Saige Driver (@SaigeDriver) April 13, 2016
I’ve almost lost @KylieWOWO a couple times. #vbas16
— Saige Driver (@SaigeDriver) April 13, 2016