• 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.
Complete list of candidates who filed for office
May 30, 2026
The candidate filing period in Wyoming for this year’s election cycle closed on Friday, May 29. Below are the unofficial lists of county, state and federal candidates who filed, as reported by the Lincoln County Clerk’s Office and the Wyoming... Read More
Star Valley Middle School completes first soccer season
May 30, 2026
This spring there was something new on the fields at Star Valley Middle School and by extension the fields at Star Valley High School as middle school soccer teams became a realty for the area. SVMS Activities Director, Jake Rich,... Read More
Independent Notes: A U.S. Senator includes our Star Valley youth in his schedule.
May 30, 2026
One of the things that I like most about Wyoming is working closely with our D.C. delegation. Wyoming is fortunate to have Harriet Hageman in the U.S. House and the team of Cynthia Lummis and John Barrasso in the U.S.... Read More
Always Choose Adventure: Three European students choose exchange
May 30, 2026
This feature appeared in the May 27, 2026 edition of the Star Valley Independent. One of the most exotic and educational experiences humans can seek is that of travel – exploring new places and peoples, enjoying new cultures and tastes.... Read More
Lincoln County Library System Book Review: "Dungeon Crawler Carl"
May 30, 2026
Review by Elizabeth Larson Branch Manager Star Valley Branch Library Matt Dinniman’s Dungeon Crawler Carl is one of the strangest, funniest and most unexpectedly heartfelt fantasy novels. At first glance, the premise sounds completely absurd; Earth is destroyed by alien... Read More
AARP Wyoming reminds voters to check registration
May 30, 2026
CHEYENNE (WNE) — AARP Wyoming is encouraging voters in Wyoming to be sure their voter registration is current ahead of the 2026 Primary Election in Wyoming, as Secretary of State data suggests nearly 26,000 fewer registered voters this month... Read More
Lincoln County 4‑H hosts 4th Annual Mini Showcase Showdown
May 30, 2026
Provided by Shar Perry, UW Extension Lincoln County 4‑H hosted its 4th annual 4‑H Mini Showcase Showdown on May 16 at the Afton Civic Center, welcoming enthusiastic members from Lincoln, Teton, and Uinta counties. Participants had the opportunity to demonstrate... Read More
Wave Radio Interview: Shannon Miller - Baby Animal Days
May 29, 2026
Lisa spoke with Shannon Miller this morning on the WAVE about “Baby Animal Days” sponsored by Bear Lake Animal Hospital. The event is free to the public and will be held Saturday, May 30 from 11-1 at the Bear Lake... Read More
Wave Radio Interview: Shane Johnson & Whitney Bytheway - Trail Days
May 29, 2026
Shane Johnson and Whitney Bytheway dropped by the WAVE this morning to talk about the upcoming Trail Days sponsored by the Bear Lake Valley Healthcare Foundation. It is a family-friendly event on June 13 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.... Read More
Cordova joins race for superintendent of public instruction
May 29, 2026
By Allison Allsop Casper Star-Tribune Via- Wyoming News Exchange CASPER — Just one month after returning to Wyoming, Ana Cordova entered the race for state superintendent of public instruction. Cordova, who grew up in Cheyenne, left Wyoming to pursue... Read More
Sports Friday Interview: SVHS Lady Braves 4X800 Team
May 29, 2026
Star Valley High School’s Gracey Visser (Senior), Carlee Angell (Junior), Evelyn Scharmann (Sophomore) and Kelsie Dunne (Sophomore) who broke the school 4X800 record at state track last weekend, joined Coach Ty Draney in the SVI Radio studio to speak with... Read More
How To Reduce Noise in a Warehouse Office
May 29, 2026
Learn practical ways to reduce noise in warehouse offices through layout choices, sound control, equipment planning, and better daily habits. Read More
Evanston man sentenced for creating AI-generated child porn
May 29, 2026
EVANSTON (WNE) — A man who pleaded guilty to five counts of felony possession and distribution of child sex abuse material — including artificial intelligence (AI) generated images of an underage victim closely acquainted with him — has been... Read More
Governor Gordon’s Wy We Care Initiative Launches Survivors Campaign to Elevate Suicide Prevention and Awareness
May 29, 2026
Survivor and reigning Mrs. Wyoming America Carrie Bollock: “I stand where I stand today as living proof that restoration is real.” Governor Mark Gordon (R-WY) has announced the launch of the WY We Care Survivors campaign. This new effort... Read More
Boil order lifted for Alpine residents
May 28, 2026
A broken water line last week required a small percentage of Alpine residents to boil their water through last weekend and the Memorial Day holiday. That order has now been lifted. The Town of Alpine posted the following on their... Read More
Star Valley High School Graduation 2026
May 28, 2026
Congratulations to the Star Valley High School Class of 2026. Find all the graduates in the May 27, 2026 edition of the Star Valley Independent with the annual graduation section. The evening is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. Read More
Cokeville history displayed in new mural
May 28, 2026
Traffic on Main Street in Cokeville traveled a bit slower as travelers took time to admire Cokeville Town Hall’s makeover as artists transferred the brown brick wall into a colorful history lesson. The lesson begins with a pair of Shoshoni... Read More
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation holds annual banquet on Saturday
May 28, 2026
Star Valley’s chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is hosting their annual fundraiser banquet on Saturday, May 30 in the Donn Wooden Civic Center at 121 US Highway 89 in Alpine. Doors open at 5 p.m. with... Read More
Future school calendars approved for LCSD#2
May 28, 2026
Lincoln County School District #2 (LCSD#2) has received word that their alternate hybrid calendars for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 school years have been approved at the state level. Districts in Wyoming are expected to be on a 175-day... Read More
SVI Radio Interview: Brent Bien - Candidate for Governor of Wyoming
May 28, 2026
https://svinews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/5-28-Brent-Bien.mp3 Read More