PONY RACE … Raffle goers participate in a “Pony Race”. This involves lines on a floor sectioned off into 6 blocks for each person. A wheel is spun and that lands on a combination of three numbers from 1-6. The person located in a section the number lands on gets to move forward. The first person out of the blocks wins.
(PHOTOS BY JACOB KESSLER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
PACKED … This year’s Reverse Raffle, put on by the Wauseon Rotary Club, was once again a success. A packed house was a good way to put it as the sold-out event saw great attendance.
By: Jacob Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jacob@thevillagereporter.com
The Junior Fair Building at the Fulton County Fairgrounds was packed this past Saturday, as the Wauseon Rotary Club held its 6th annual Reverse Raffle event.
Doors opened at 4:00 p.m., with drawings beginning around 6:00 p.m. and live music by Renegade Lemonade kicking off at 7:15 p.m.
As in years past, the evening was completely sold out, with all 300 available tickets purchased. Guests were treated to a fun-filled evening of raffles, auctions, games, and music, all in support of a good cause.
This year’s proceeds will directly support the continued revitalization of Wauseon’s parks, with a focus on replacing playground equipment throughout the city of Wauseon.
The Rotary Club has already completed updates at North Park and the northern section of Homecoming Park and has also added a new playground near the pavilion at Homecoming. Four more parks remain in line for updates.
The Rotary is collaborating with the City of Wauseon, which has budgeted additional funds to support efforts by the Rotarians, allowing the renovations to be completed more quickly than if the club were funding the project on its own.
The $60 raffle ticket gave visitors access to the great entertainment, along with four drink tickets, pizza at the end of the night, and a chance to win big, with top prizes of $3,000, $1,500, and $500. Food trucks were also on-site, beginning at 4:00 p.m., with several options to choose from.
In addition to the raffle itself, the evening featured a silent auction, live auction, chance auction, and the always popular pony races.
Prizes included a meat and freezer package, a Michigan International Speedway (MIS) package, tickets to the Toledo Airshow, and a Detroit Tigers suite, all generously donated by local businesses and supporters.
Rotary President Troy Armstrong offered a heartfelt thanks to the many donors, volunteers, and community members who helped make this year’s event a success.
The event continues to be a highlight for the area’s spring calendar and is made possible by those who continue to support it.