That's a Wrap

Friday night's barn dance fundraiser went as well as could be expected, considering the fact that the food was almost two hours late in being delivered. Yes, you read that right; almost two hours late. The excuse we were given was something about the restaurant being down an oven, but we knew that it was because they had double-booked themselves, and were scrambling to provide meals for our 220 guests, as well as the several hundred guests attending another event (one that had impacted our ticket sales).

It was frustrating and nerve-wracking for me, my staff, and the committee members who plan the event, but we carried on with grace and the guests were never aware of the hiccup. Serve enough alcohol, and that tends to happen.

The silent auction was a huge hit, as always. We had just over fifty items, including the table that Hugh built for the rehearsal dinner and wedding reception; it sold for $1,700 and is headed to another wedding, which Hugh and I thought was awesome.

Every year, we have a jail and a Sheriff who wanders the event, arresting people on Warrants For Arrest that have been purchased by guests. Hugh and the Man-Cub got arrested not long into the evening. Luckily, they had the foresight to purchase Get Out of Jail Free cards, which earned them an early release. The event makes several hundred dollars on the WFA and GOJF cards, in case you have a western-themed event that is looking for a fun addition.

The event wouldn't have been the same without Shanti and the Man-Cub helping out again this year. They sold the majority of the WFA and GOJF cards, and helped serve dinner, once the food finally arrived.

Hugh also served dinner, once his parking duties were done. I honestly can't tell you how much it means to me to have my family at this event; I just hope Queen B is able to join us one year.

At the end of the evening, we all headed home with at least one item from the silent auction. Hugh was determined to win a huge wine basket for Shanti, and he succeeded. He also won a Halloween-themed basket for us; it included some cute decorative items, a couple of Halloween-themed cookbooks, enough alcohol to keep us "boozed" up, and a few snacks. It is a pretty cute basket, actually.

Last year, I bid on-and won-a golf package for the Cub and Shanti, so, this year, the Cub bid on-and-won a set of four tickets to a production at the local community theater for me. We plan to use the tickets for the Christmas special performance, which isn't included in the season pass that I buy each year. His thoughtfulness just warms my heart.

I also won a strand of vintage pearls, which I will have to take a picture of. They were the one item that I was determined to win, and I'm excited that I did.

By the time we got the venue somewhat cleaned up and headed home, I was exhausted. It will be a few days before we know the exact revenue from the event, but I am assuming it will come in in the $30,000-$35,000 range, which is not bad for one night. 

If it should somehow fail to come in that high, the committee will be devastated; they have a healthy competition going with the golf tournament committee and are determined to beat their grand total, which was $32,106 this year.

You've got to love their competitive spirit, plus, it all goes to such a good cause, and, that's really what matters the most.