When they put on a live auction, they do it in unmistakably Caravan Farm Theatre fashion.
That乌鸦传媒檚 the intent of event brainchild Scott Crocker and artistic and managing director Estelle Shook as they gear up for the third annual June 2.
乌鸦传媒淚t乌鸦传媒檚 been a really successful event for us because it combines all the theatricality of Caravan Farm Theatre and the legacy in the form of our patron saint Bill Miner,乌鸦传媒� Shook said. 乌鸦传媒淎t the centre is the theatrical live auction.乌鸦传媒�
Complete with outlaw-lead entertainment, this year乌鸦传媒檚 auction will be brought to life by Don Raffan of Armstrong乌鸦传媒檚 Valley Auction LTD.
乌鸦传媒淭hat just lifts it up so much,乌鸦传媒� Shook said of having Raffan lead the auction. 乌鸦传媒淗e乌鸦传媒檚 such a pillar of the community. I grew up watching him as an auctioneer. For me, it乌鸦传媒檚 really special that we finally have Don. We乌鸦传媒檙e really looking forward to that.乌鸦传媒�
Raffan, a long-time auctioneer, will be getting the crowd excited for Caravan乌鸦传媒檚 thematic packages that combine multiple prizes, such as golf and bed and breakfast in a similar region, to create a complete offering.
乌鸦传媒淚t乌鸦传媒檚 like having an incredible commercial,乌鸦传媒� Shook said. 乌鸦传媒淒on will talk about it (a prize) and make it sound like it乌鸦传媒檚 the best thing since sliced bread.乌鸦传媒�
Prizes also include spa packages, Salmon Arm Roots and Blues tickets and other uniquely Okanagan fare.
乌鸦传媒淲e乌鸦传媒檝e had tremendous support from local businesses,乌鸦传媒� Shook said.
Last year, the auction raised $7,500 and Scotiabank matched up to $5,000. As the number grew, a man in a lab coat stood watch and, with the help of children in attendance, coloured in Caravan乌鸦传媒檚 Goliath donation thermometer.
乌鸦传媒淚t was so exciting when we saw red explode out the top,乌鸦传媒� Shook said.
Crocker said this year is shaping up to be even bigger than last year乌鸦传媒檚 hoedown.
乌鸦传媒淚 think it乌鸦传媒檒l be good. Every year it gets smoother. (And there are) more theatrical surprises, which will be fun,乌鸦传媒� Crocker said. 乌鸦传媒淲e get better at it every year.乌鸦传媒�
While Hands Up, at its core, is a fundraiser for Caravan Farm Theatre, Shook and Crocker said it乌鸦传媒檚 important to them that it is also an entertaining family event whether guests bid on items or not.
To that end, Seal Skull Hammer and Birch Bark will swing out their instruments before the auction gets underway. And, while they play, tastings from five local vineyards, three artisan food joints including a new cheese maker in Salmon Arm, and the BX Press Cidery in Vernon are on offer.
乌鸦传媒淲hat I like about this is it乌鸦传媒檚 a fun evening for the whole family and you get a delicious burger and a pint and then the beautiful ambiance,乌鸦传媒� Shook said.
Admission also includes a locally-cultivated gourmet burger with meat from Helmut乌鸦传媒檚 Sausage Kitchen, buns from Country Bakery in Armstrong乌鸦传媒檚 Askew乌鸦传媒檚 Foods and condiments and greens from local farmers乌鸦传媒檚 markets. And, to wash it down, ticketholders receive a craft brew from long-time supporters Crannog Ales.
And it乌鸦传媒檚 all with the intent of helping the non-profit theatre company continue their work. Up next for Caravan Farm Theatre is Law of the Land from the same creative team that brought the farm last year.
乌鸦传媒淚t乌鸦传媒檚 a farce. It乌鸦传媒檚 a flat-out comedy,乌鸦传媒� Shook said of production, which opens July 24. 乌鸦传媒淎ll your typical farce tropes are in this piece. It乌鸦传媒檚 like laugh your face off comedy. We乌鸦传媒檙e really looking forward to it.乌鸦传媒�
For Law of the Land performances July 27-29 and Aug. 1-3, Shook said a 30 per cent discount is available until July 3.
乌鸦传媒淲e exist so we can provide something good for the community,乌鸦传媒� Shook said. 乌鸦传媒淭his fundraiser is a really important part of our operation. It enables us to keep ticket prices as low as we do. It乌鸦传媒檚 a really important part of the puzzle.乌鸦传媒�
The gates open and outlaws are set free June 2 at 6 p.m. Music begins at 6:30 p.m. and the auction starts at 7:30 p.m. Advance tickets for Hands Up! are available for $25 adult or $10 for youth 18-and-under through the Ticket Seller, 250-549-7469, , or $30 adults and $10 for youth at the door. Law of the Land runs July 24 to Aug. 26. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit .
parker.crook@vernonmorningstar.com
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