SOUTH COUNTY — Salinas Valley Fair’s annual kickoff dinner and dance is set for Saturday, April 28, at the fairgrounds’ Orradre Building in King City.
“Our Fair theme this year is ‘Lettuce Turnip the Beet’ and we are going to launch into fair-time fun with our annual fair kickoff dinner, dance and auction,” said Steven Handley, Salinas Valley Fair board president. “Enjoy a great meal, dance the night away and shop our amazing silent auction items.”
The kickoff party begins at 5:30 p.m. with a no-host bar followed by a King City Young Farmer’s steak dinner at 7 p.m. The silent auction is from 5:30 to 8 p.m., with the live auction from 8 to 9 p.m. Then, it will be time to dance to music from the band Gotcha Covered.
A big part of the fundraising effort for the evening is the live and silent auctions.
“We have an awesome list of silent and live auction items,” said Frank Lopez, Salinas Valley Fair board member and auction chairman. “We’ve got a few surprises for people this year. You won’t want to miss this year’s kickoff auction.”
Lopez and a volunteer committee of men and women have put together one of the biggest fundraising auctions in South County. Items up for bidding include home decor, dinner gift certificates, tickets to sporting events and more.
Proceeds from the auction benefit the Salinas Valley Fair and the Salinas Valley Fair Heritage Foundation.
The non-profit organizations have missions that support the growth of the Fair and preserving the traditions established nearly 75 years ago.
Salinas Valley Fair invests net proceeds in the production of the agricultural education 4-H and FFA competitions, as well as the youth and open competitions for arts and crafts, home arts and photography. The Salinas Valley Fair Heritage Foundation has invested more than $7 million in infrastructure improvements since its inception.
The improvements have provided the fair the opportunity to increase availability for 4-H and FFA agricultural exhibits and year-round events in King City.
“Our programs and facility improvements are a direct result of the funds raised at the annual fair kickoff,” said CEO TJ Plew. “We have been able to improve our 4-H and FFA programs while keeping our rental rates and fair admission affordable because of the community fundraising.”
Tickets are $25 per person and are available at L.A. Hearne Co. in King City, L.A. Hearne Company in Prunedale, the Salinas Valley Fair office or from any Fair director. For more information, call the Fair office at 831-385-3243.
