Sitting at small, square tables of four, 185 women and a few men came out to roll the dice to support Oakdale FFA at its Fourth Annual Wild West Bunco Night and Dinner fundraiser on Nov. 17. Oakdale FFA advisor Ed Hartzell said attendance was up by about 20 people this year, and it showed, as the Gene Bianchi Community Center was abuzz with attendees who were ready to play.
The FFA supporters kicked off the evening with a chicken dinner and then made their way around the hall to more than 10 large tables full of 61 donated gift baskets for the drawings, putting their tickets in bags in front of their favorite items. Some of the baskets included spa treatments, dining gift cards, a microscope set, pet goodies, fishing gear, jewelry, purses, bath décor, a wine picnic kit, horse barn necessities, and even a telescope, to name a few. There were also four silent auction tables, each with several items to choose from.
There were prizes awarded for the Most Wins, Most Buncos, Most Losses, Traveler, as well as numerous door prizes.
Money raised from the event goes toward leadership conferences for the Oakdale High School FFA chapter members.