The season for fine dining and entertainment is upon us as Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching. The Silverton Downtown Association (SDA) will be hosting the 5th Annual Downtown Gala Fundraiser on Saturday, Feb. 8, offering an extravagant night of fellowship and fun. The proceeds of the gala are dedicated to the upkeep and operating expenses of the newly constructed Silverton Downtown Community and Agricultural Center.
The SDA, established in April 2019, is made up of eight young women, having returned to their small hometown armed with the vision of ensuring community longevity and success for generations to come. Beyond the legacy of being fifth generational agricultural producers within the community, the members of the SDA also bring a diverse, but advantageous range of college educations to the table including communication, finance, agriculture, and business degrees. With community growth, economic development, and supporting local businesses as their battle cry, the SDA dove headfirst into their first project in 2019, raising funds to build the downtown community center. Since hosting the first event in January 2022, the community center has served as a venue for many different community events including the Briscoe County Stock Show, Briscoe County Celebration activities, holiday events, fundraisers, birthday parties and more.
Community development and support is the utmost priority of the SDA as they recently completed construction of a border fence at the city park along State Highway 86, providing curb appeal and a layer of safety for children visiting the playground. Plans are currently on the association’s table for establishing an annual scholarship program for local high school seniors.
Raising almost $30,000 last year, the annual gala has become the SDA’s most lucrative fundraiser. Plans for the gala begin as far as ten months in advance as preparations are made to ensure a luxurious experience. This year’s premier event sponsor is First National Bank. Other sponsors include Happy State Bank and Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits. The doors will open at 5:30 p.m, allowing attendees to browse the silent auction tables and begin casting bids. The night will kick off at 6:00 p.m. with a delectable ribeye dinner.
West Texas artist Matt Daniel will open the night’s entertainment, followed by headliner Hub City Drifters, sponsored by Double B Crop Insurance. Following the meal, guests may enjoy a delicious coffee bar, try their luck at various casino tables, and participate in a live auction and raffle drawings. A reverse raffle will be held for a $10,000 winner’s pot. The live auction will consist of several crowd favorites including delicious cakes prepared by Silverton’s famous baker Juannah Jennings, a free vacation and more.
Tickets, tables, and sponsorships for the gala are still available. For purchasing, reach out to the Silverton Downtown Association on Facebook or call (806) 627-7270. For more information about the SDA’s mission and community involvement, visit their website at www. silvertondowntown.com or follow them on Facebook.
