Amazing auction items, fantastic entertainment and great company made the third annual Baxter Booster Bash a huge success. Held April 6, the fundraiser brought in close to $20,000 for the Baxter Athletic Boosters.
More than 200 people came together to help raise funds at the event, with many new faces taking in the festivities at Sugar Grove Vineyards.
“This year it seem to have a lot of new faces,” organizer Ed Schmidt said. “People bringing in friends from outside of the community, that was a nice change. It was a fun time to meet new people.”
Headlining the event was hypnotist Terry Stokes. While Schmidt said the evening was very fun, it also has a “what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas” feeling.
“Kids are more freewheeling with that type of entertainment but it went over really well and it was probably one of the best events we have had, as far as entertainment goes,” Schmidt said.
He did mention a gentleman who was frequently checking what was in his hat, thanks to the touch of the hypnotist’s hand and another participant who had to “keep his ducks in a row,” not just figuratively but literally manage the rubber ducks in front of him.
“He would get mad if they got moved, which happened when the hypnotist gave them a kick,” Schmidt said. “He’d tell him ‘leave my ducks alone.’”
Also, though out the night guests were invited to peruse the variety of silent and live auction items available for bid. With items including a week-long stay at Myrtle Beach, swimming passes, Adventureland passes and Boltz gear, there was something for everyone to try to win.
“The abundance of quality items was great,” Schmidt said. “The items that had Boltz written on it brought in a lot of money.”
The event also so the introduction of Bolt Grants, funds that are distributed by the boosters directly to coach for specific items of need. This year, three grants totaling $10,000 were handed out to the basketball program for a new shooting and return system, the cross country and track teams for smartwatches to track times and other statistics and the softball and baseball teams for indoor batting cages.
“We look forward to hopefully doing it in the future to keep our program with the tools they need,” Schmidt said.
Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com
