Friends Gala reservations needed soon
Prime rib grilled to perfection, Doug Moreland & the Flying Armadillos filling the fresh night air with boot scootin’ music, auctions, and an open bar are all planned as part of the Friends of Fort Griffin 15th Annual Gala on Saturday, Oct. 6, at the site of the Town of Fort Griffin, on Collins Creek Ranch.
Invitations were mailed out earlier this month.However, it is not necessary to receive an invitation to attend.
Anyone 21 years and older is welcome to the gala. All attendees need to make a reservation and purchase a $50 ticket by next Tuesday, Oct. 2.
“The Gala is going to be a wonderful evening of dinner and dancing,” said coordinator Susan Waller. “And of course, there are the auctions.”
One of the items that will be auctioned off at the Gala will be a chainsaw work of art made by More-land earlier that same evening.
“Doug is not only a West Texas fiddler, songwriter, and entertainer, he is also a fantastic chain saw artist,” said Waller. “He will give a demo at the Gala, and he has agreed to donate that work of art to the auction!”
The Gala
The bar opens, the silent auction begins, and the chainsaw art demonstration by Moreland takes place shortly after the gates open at 6:00 p.m. to Collins Creek Ranch at Griffin Flat.
The prime rib dinner will be served at 7:00 p.m.
Music for the dance will be provided by Moreland and his band starting at 7:45 p.m.
The live auction will take place at 8:30 p.m., and the silent auction will end at 9:30 p.m.
As in previous years, proceeds from the 2018 event will be earmarked to help rebuild and restore buildings at Fort Griffin State Historic Site.
“The Gala is our major fundraiser for projects at Fort Griffin State Historic Site,” said Waller. “Come have fun and help Fort Griffin at the same time!”
Sponsorships for the Gala are also available.
How to Donate
The Friends of Fort Griffin organization is an approved 501(c)(3) entity. Organizations classified by 501(c)(3) are commonly referred to as charitable organizations, and are eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
“We have the most generous contributors for the silent auction items,” said Waller. “This is always a huge success, and we hope everyone will donate and participate again.”
Waller added that she is contacting previous patrons, and is hoping to hear from new supporters as well.
“Even if you have never contributed, we would be very pleased to have you as a donor,” added Waller.
For more information, call Waller at 762-2699 or mail checks to Friends of Fort Griffin, PO Box 2154, Albany TX 76430.
Projects
Projects that the Friends of Fort Griffin have funded over the years include research on the Powder Magazine, restoration of the Powder Magazine, work on the barracks chimneys, restoration of the Bakery, replacing roofs on the Mess Hall, the barracks, and the Jackson House, providing food for reenactors at the fort, and research on the Sutler Store intended to allow future restoration of the facility.
“We’ve spent over $100,000 on upgrades at the park,” said Waller. “We are really hoping to raise enough funds to continue with the next step of the Sutler Store project as soon as the archeological dig is completed.”
The archeological study has already been funded by the Friends, and will take place after Living History Days, so that the area is not cluttered by the workers and their equipment while hundreds of school children and re-enactors are visiting the fort.
“We hope to not only restore the Sutler Store building, but also to stock it with period-correct goods,” said Waller. “It will be a fabulous addition to an already great fort.”
Early Auction Items
Items already donated to the Gala auction include a picture donated by well-known local photographer Watt Casey Jr.
“It is a beautiful photo of the Grand Tetons that Watt took this summer,” said Waller.
Also contributed for the auction are two unopened bottles of whiskey that had been owned by Bob Echols.
One is a numbered bottle of Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve 20-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.
The second is a numbered bottle of Old Weller the Original 107 Proof Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey.
Xi Chi Pi will be selling raffle tickets for a $500 gift card to a bed and breakfast in Fredericksburg, and also raffle tickets for a dove hunt on the Belcher Ranch.
