Auction items await the Sky Valley Chamber of Commerce auction, the single largest fundraiser of the year. Photo by Chris Hendrickson
Outdoor recreation will be the name of the game at the 23rd annual fundraising dinner and auction.
By Chris Hendrickson, Contributing writer
The event, which will take place on Saturday, April 19 at 5 p.m. at Camp Huston in Gold Bar, will feature dinner, drinks, a costume contest, numerous raffles and drawings, as well as both a silent and live auction. Tickets can be purchased in advance from the Visitor's Center in Sultan for $35 each or $260 for a table of eight. Tickets will also be available at the door for $40 each.
The auction is the Chamber's primary fundraising effort for the year.
"It supports our many events and keeps the lights on at the visitor's info center,GÇ¥ said Events Coordinator Elizabeth Emmons.
The theme for this year's event is outdoor recreation. Dinner will include traditional barbecue including beef brisket and pulled pork, as well as all the customary side dishes. A costume contest will take place, for which event attendees are invited to dress up in whatever sort of apparel they feel best represents the adventurous theme.
"We know we have to fund-raise, so we figure we might as well make it fun,GÇ¥ said Sky Valley Chamber Director Debbie Copple.
Auction items are widely varied and include novelty items as well as things that are useful. From a truckload of gravel delivered to a site of your choice, to gift certificates for food or vehicle care, an enormous spectrum is encompassed. A multitude of items representative of the adventurous theme will be auctioned off including an African hunting safari, a helicopter ride, a flying lesson, a zip line excursion, gift certificates to the Outdoor Adventure Center located in Index, a sky diving lesson and much more.
Evergreen Speedway donated a special VIP package which includes catering, beverages, a tour of the pits, plus plenty of racing swag and more, valued at over $900.
Other auction items include art, crafts, gift certificates and even a barbecue.
For folks who may not wish to participate in the live auction, there will be several drawings and raffles, as well as a silent auction.
"There's several ways for people to get involved, even if you don't have a ton of money,GÇ¥ said Copple.
The Sky Valley Chamber of Commerce sponsors year-round community events such as Shindig, Gold Dust Days, the Return of the Salmon Festival, Winterfest, the Lip Sync Contest, the Sky Valley Farm Festival and many others.
They offer consistent promotional opportunities for local businesses and have developed marketing strategies such as Chamber Bucks, which are meant to help stimulate and encourage the local economy.
The chamber also focuses on encouraging networking between local businesses. New this year is the Chamber's After Hours Networking series which is an opportunity for business owners to showcase their products or services and network with other chamber members.
Camp Huston is located at 14725 Ley Rd. in Gold Bar near Wallace Falls State Park. The Sultan Visitor's Center is located at 320 Main St. in Sultan.
For questions about the event, or to help support the chamber by donating an item to the auction, contact Debbie Copple at (360) 793-0983. The Sky Valley Chamber website can be located here:-á http://www.skyvalleychamber.com/.
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