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Cowboy Museum Changes Up Annual Dinner
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The touch screen project was a huge hit as it debuted at the annual Cowboy Museum dinner auction held at Rocha Enterprises, Saturday evening, Sept. 19. The touch screen will enable museum visitors to learn more about Oakdale’s rich ranching history through an interactive display. - photo by Photo Courtesy Of The Cowboy Museum

It was a night of innovation and good times at the annual Cowboy Museum dinner and auction, Saturday night at the Rocha Enterprises, Sept. 19.

Although the sour economy impacted the live auction — down $7,000 from last year, Executive Director Christie Camarillo was optimistic about the evening.

“Our attendance was down by about 60 people and we definitely felt the impact of the economy on the auction but that was to be expected because a lot of the fundraisers are seeing that,” she said.

But even as times are hard, there were plenty of laughs and good times as well as fun, innovative changes to the annual dinner.

Two of the big changes included the elimination of the speakers in favor of video productions put together of the honorees and the debut of the touch screen project available at the Cowboy Museum.

“We wowed the guests,” Camarillo said. “We stepped up and spent time with the families of the honorees and did a video presentation just like at the Academy awards. We showed two super videos and there was an overwhelming positive response. We’ve heard nothing but compliments. It was different and entertaining and everybody was pleased.”

The top sellers at the live auction were $3,000 for a quarter-mile stretch of five-strand barbed wire fence and $1,700 for the cowgirl luncheon special table.

Twenty-three items were offered at the live auction, said Camarillo.

The honorees this year were given to the Otis Rosasco family and ranch of Jamestown. Posthumously, the Museum recognized Colin Harvey, a well-known cattleman from Oakdale.