First Annual Gala for the Arts is Saturday in Alpine

• The Gala is a fundraising event supporting renovation of the Historic Ford Theatre.

The Salt River Arts Society is hosting their First Annual Gala for the Arts this Saturday, February 24 at the Don Wooden Civic Center in Alpine at 6 p.m. The Gala is a fundraising event supporting the continued renovation of the Historic Ford Theatre in Afton.

Featuring a Gatsby 20’s theme for its inaugural year, the evening offers hors d’oeurves, a fully catered buffet dinner, adult and family beverages, non-stop entertainment, a spacious dance floor, games and a silent auction.

“We are transforming this space,” said organizer Lauren Preston. “It’s going to be like stepping into another world! It’s just going to be an absolute escape from reality, a spectacle for your eyes! And for your mouth, we have Stuft catering. Shaun is amazing!”

As guests arrive, they will receive a souvenir pouch with three golden coins that they can use to purchase drinks or activities or they can put the value of their coins towards bids on auction items. Each guest will be introduced to the event by a guide who will escort them into the space and introduce them to seating and activities.

Hors d’oeuvres and cocktails will circulate on trays for guests to enjoy before dinner. Two stages will offer non-stop entertainment presented by local performing artists. The meal is scheduled to begin around 7:30, and games, music and dancing will continue throughout the evening.

“We have so many beautiful, local vocalists that are going to be doing various songs from the era, and some songs will be more contemporary,” said Preston. “We’ll have a string quartet and a few bands. We might have a DJ playing music to fill in the gaps. We’re also going to have a murder mystery escape room puzzle for people who want to do that. We’ll also have a photo booth with a professional photographer there taking pictures.”

As a Gala, the event warrants formal attire, but Preston assures guests that they should come in whatever makes them feel amazing! “Essentially, what formal attire means here is, if you feel fabulous in it, then it’s appropriate. A lot of people are planning to wear 20s theme attire, and there are really stunning dresses around the valley. Rustic Rose has some, and the Alpine Mercantile has tons of gorgeous dresses that are proper 1920s ball gowns. It’s really been awesome to see the variety and depth, and how wonderful the offerings are here in the valley.”

Silent auction items that have been donated for the fundraiser promise to be of great interest. “We’ve had so many really generous donations for our silent auction. People have been donating $600 items. It’s really, really impressive, the level of generosity that we have seen.”

Seating is limited to 150. At press time, VIP tables, which are selling as a table of eight seats at a price slightly above the price of eight individual tickets, were nearly sold out. Preston encourages the community to secure their reservations very soon. “I think this is really going to be an event that people will go on and on about.” She believes that attending the first Gala will be something exceptional and memorable.

Individuals or businesses interested in donating an item for the silent auction are encouraged to choose something that “features their business in a positive light,” and establishes them in the community as a “patron of the arts. The donation can act as an advertisement.

“This event is going to be absolutely amazing and fun, and more importantly, it will breathe life into the arts in Star Valley,” Preston concluded. “We have such an opportunity right now to generate culture within the valley and to make the valley a cultural destination of its own.”

For reservations, visit SaltRiverArts.com. Guests will want to bring their checkbook or plenty of cash.

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