Wampum auction slated for this Saturday

Another night of fun, food and fundraising is slated on Saturday, April 27, for the annual Wampum auction. Wampum serves as the primary fundraiser for the Wheat Land Communities' Fair.

The family-friendly event provides an opportunity for community members to gather together and spend a night supporting the local fair by bidding on auction items and enjoying a catered meal.

The doors open at 6 p.m. in the Knuth Building on the fairgrounds, and tickets are available at the door for $25. Presale tickets are available through April 27 at the Ritzville Drug Company, Java Bloom in Washtucna and Jim's Market in Lind for $22.

Following the social hour, dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. with a meal catered by Rollin' Coal BBQ.

The meal includes beef brisket, BBQ pork sandwiches and chicken thighs, with bacon bowtie Caesar salad, baked beans and fruit salad. Desserts and beverages are also included, and a full no-host bar is also available at the event.

Jerry Snyder will once again serve as the auctioneer for the evening. The live auction will begin after dinner service is completed.

WLCF will highlight recent upgrades to the Knuth Building during the evening. This is the first meal served out of the renovated kitchen, which was made possible with a WSDA Capital Improvement Grant.

Iva Kuster memorial funds were also used to purchase a set of banquet tables. The space has become a full event center, complete with new banquet chairs, sound system, a heating and cooling air unit and more.

Outgoing royalty members Alycia Phelps, Ericka Koenig and Jersey Hamilton will make their final appearance as fair royalty. For 2019, WLCF has decided to have a fair marshal, which will be announced at the event.

This year, there is extensive auction items to bid on in both the live and silent auction.

Highlighted auction items this year include a Hells Canyon boat tour, themed baskets, quilts, grass hay, BBQs and camping gear. Auction items are also being highlighted on the Wampum event page on Facebook.

Between the auction selections, the event is expected to continue to provide a great opportunity for community members to help fundraise for the local fair.

The 2019 fair theme is Stirrup Some Fun, and is being celebrated with the WLCF's partners of the Ritzville Rodeo Association, who are celebrating their 50th anniversary.

Wampum helps provide vital funds to keep the fair running and directly supports the Wheat Land Communities' Fair on Labor Day weekend.