Twenty years ago, Sooke Rotary’s Auction & Spring Fair was a simple garage sale. Today’s version is a major community event, with a silent auction, live auction, live entertainment, business booths, and food and beverage service.
Over the years, Sooke Rotary’s many successful local projects have gained the trust of the town -- such that Sooke’s residents know that supporting Rotary is a direct investment in the local community. And this support is seen clearly in this year’s response to the Spring Fair & Auction. Local businesses have donated over 500 items with a value of over $50,000! Two thousand visitors are anticipated to drop by, to bid on auction items or take part in the raffle, to grab a bite to eat, and to catch some entertainment.
Admission is free, though most visitors expect that they will likely leave a few dollars behind – but knowing their support will pay off in multiples of goodwill.
Sooke Rotary’s newest member, Ron Larson, is the event emcee. Larson is no stranger to the microphone, working the radio waves as a DJ for 100.3 Q-FM.
“The theme this year is Sooke Arts & Culture, so we’ve aimed for a diverse mix of local entertainment all day long,” he explains.
Larson said the day kicks off with Janet McTavish singing O Canada and then the “Arts and Waves” dancers are followed by the Sooke Folk Music Society, a rockin’ combo from the Journey Middle School Band, a bluegrass group, and for the dinner hour a quartet from Sooke Philharmonic.
Larson’s motivation to join Rotary was the club’s youth focus.
“There’s a playground around the corner from my house that was sponsored by Rotary. The local ballfield was sponsored by Rotary. In the end, Rotary does a lot of good things around here. This event is popular for lots of reasons, but ultimately it comes down to building community. To me, this fundraiser is all about the kids.”
Indeed, Sooke Rotary’s strong presence in the community can be seen in many public successes like the Rotary Pier or the Skateboard park. A lot more, however, happens behind-the-scenes, where the club regularly offers a quiet and discreet helping hand to people in need. The Auction & Spring Fair, as the club’s main annual fundraiser, is the source of the fuel that keeps Sooke Rotary’s service machine driving forward.
Have you ever wondered what the 1,000 pieces of art not selected for the Sooke Fine Arts Show look like? Here’s your chance to find out.
Your Secret Fine Arts Tour package on Wednesday, June 29 will include a private tour of more than 1,300 piece of artwork submitted to the show by artists from across Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. You will then be served a gourmet dinner for four, created especially for you. And finally, you will receive four tickets for the Sooke Fine Arts Purchasers’ Preview Evening, held Thursday, July 21, where you will see the final selections made by the jurors for this year’s Sooke Fine Arts Show. The evening includes live music, wine, hors d’oeuvres, and the opportunity to wander through the stunning gallery. This rare and exclusive opportunity is valued at $300+.
Good food, good fun, and good bargains to be had... and all in pursuit of a good cause.
What more could you ask for in a local event? Come down to SEAPARC on Saturday, May 7 and check it out!
(Duck Race at the Sooke Flats)
Details:
Saturday, May 7, 10 a.m.
Free admission
Food, fun, bargains galore, bicycle auction, music, booths, plant sale, Culinary Arts Cafe
SEAPARC Leisure Complex, 2168 Phillips Road
More info: www.sookerotary.com/auction.