Fundraising Fun

With my work, I deal with a lot of fundraiser. I do not always work them, because I simply do not need to. But there is one that comes around each year, and I am there! I plan vacations around this event.

Years ago when this event was established, the former owner asked me to staff the event and run it. I handled event management and staffing at the time. I did not handle any event planning. The owner had brought me in on some of the planning the first year, but not much. By the second year, he basically left it all up to me.

Since then, the client does not want anyone else handling his event, and since then... it has become my baby. I was with it from the beginning, and ultimately, it was my very first event. So I treat it with great care.

The production company takes a vacant warehouse, which they clean up and start prepping to put together something from the old wild west.

Wild West Productions rolling in with their large semi trailers to unload the entire scene.

Watching the place get put together is really something to witness. You are taking a blank canvas, and generally more than a blank canvas, a tattered old, drab, scarred canvas.. and creating something amazing.

Like many events, it takes days to put together something for everyone to enjoy. Fairs, Festivals, Fundraisers.. all of them take extensive planning, and then labor hours to put together elaborate productions for all to enjoy.

The Buckeroo Ball is no different. Granted on the scale of large events, this is much smaller. But it doesnt change the fact that it is equally as impressive. As you can see,

they have a Sheriff's office, with jail. If you are offensive, the Sheriff will lock you up, and someone has to pay $10 to get you out. You can also pay the Sheriff to take someone into custody.

Occassionally when you walk past the jail, you will see people in there waiting for someone to post their bail. I typically laugh at them, and keep walking.

The patrons use chits to pay for items. There is an old wild west casino, piglet races, and Bull Bingo.

Various food vendors come in making some of the best food you will find in the Willamette Valley.

One of my favorites is Louis, who owns

Panaditas Los Taquaria. Their storefront is located on State St in Salem. If you blink, you will miss it. As it sits between a small dress shop and mini-mart. Or at least I think those are the two businesses. Needless to say, if you are not looking for it, you will miss it. He makes hands down the BEST authentic tacos I have had in the entire US. I love tacos, and maybe I am not pro, but I can tell you this much. No MSG, GREAT flavor, everything is fresh, and even tho he is an owner. He tends to everything in his business. Which means the quality remains, rather than hiring others to get the job done for you.

He works at various events which we are at, and I always know where I am eating when he is there. Lets be honest here, we have all gone to festivals, or events where we order something that just doesnt sit with us all that well. The sad truth... but it happens.

When Louis is there, I can trust that I will remain feeling top notch and well fed the entire length of the event. His tacos are only $2.50, but I would pay 5x that, knowing that I wont get sick from the food.

I should probably note that I have a bit of a sensitive stomach. Not anything too crazy. But... I do feel like I tend to get a bit sick, more so than others.

Anyway, back to Buckaroo Ball! On the left is one of the bars we had this year.. Miss Kitty's Place.

Outside of the facade that is put up, all of the volunteers, and workers are all appropriately dressed in wild west threads!

This certainly brings together the whole wild west feeling!

After the gambling, silent/live auction, and dinner... the band begins. This is when the party really starts. Every year they have a great western band that really gets people dancing and having a good time.

I am sure you can see, outside of the fact that I started with this event, the amazing food, the cool setting, great people, for various great causes.... there is GREAT music! What more can you really ask for when it comes to fundraising events?

Below are more pictures of the event. Mostly from this year, but maybe 1 or 2 will pop in from previous years!

Enoy!