Staff and volunteers are “Beboppin” to get everything ready for the annual silent auction and dinner at the Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center Museum in Stevenson March 11. This year’s theme is “The Nifty Fifties,” with many people already planning their 1950s costumes and accessories.
“This is our primary fundraiser of the year,” said Executive Director Robert Peterson.
And this one should be especially fun. The committee plans to turn this place into a Fifties, style Soda Shop complete with 50’s colors, music and even 50’s car on loan from Sam’s used cars.
Plans for the evening include a catered dinner by Skamania Lodge, complete with potlatch salmon, flank steak, roasted potatoes and more, including a selection of the Lodge’s popular desserts. Setting the fifty’s mood will be Mark J duo band, back by popular demand. Skamania lodge will man a no-host bar complete with “Signature drink”
The museum expects to collect more than 200 plus items to auction off. Traditionally the list includes loads of gravel, fine art, jewelry, boxes of apples and overnight stays. “The business community in the Gorge and even Portland and Vancouver is amazingly generous,” said Cloida Peyrollaz, a member of the museum. The businesses that donate have a way to show their support for the museum, and get some good solid advertising to boot.” The museum attracts more than 23,000 visitors to the area every year. They come from across the country, Canada, and around the world.
Donations will be accepted up to March 6 (Donation Form), and tickets are available now. They can be purchased by phoning the museum at 509-427-8211 or 1-800-991-2338. Tickets are $50 per person before March 7, $60 on or after March 7. Reserved tables for eight are $400, which also covers strategic placement of a business’s advertising material. Tickets also are available at the Skamania County Chamber of Commerce.
