Reporter
The 11th annual Festival of Wreaths will be held at Crowder College this Nov. 19, hosted by the Foundation.
Because of the fundraiser, each year roughly 30 students are given scholarships based on need and grade point average.
Last year the festival raised over $81,000. The previous year the auction raised $58,000 and every year it has increased since its’ start, making it the biggest scholarship program Crowder has to offer.
The Festival has effectively branched away from being just an auction for wreaths and is, according to Samantha Evans, the event coordinator, “now much more of a kickoff for the holiday shopping with jewelry, clothes, toys and more being sold.”
Last year a 2009 Mustang was sold at the auction as well as an actual cow. This year a 1966 Ford Mustang is going on auction. However, wreaths still remain the center point of the fundraiser.
It also exists as a way for area businesses and vendors to attract attention or publicity for themselves. They often donate wreaths or other items to the auction
This year the event will be held in the auditorium of Elsie Plaster as opposed to previous years when it was held in the Museum.
The silent auction will begin at 4 p.m., with the dinner taking place from 5-6:30 p.m. at which point the live auction begins.
The bidding system, which was changed last year to include the electronic bidding system BidPal, will be used again this year which has, according to Samantha Evans, massively simplified the whole process.
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