Hawaiian Luau brings out food lovers for noble causes For a change, the annual fundraiser hosted by Cordelia Rotary at Fairfield Center had a Hawaiian Luau with live band, dancers and a grand feast that attracted hundreds of food lovers.
The smell of barbecue chicken wafted through the doors on Saturday at the Fairfield Civic Center as guests arrived for the 28th annual Cordelia Rotary (Fairfield, US – D 5160) Spring Extravaganza.
Rotary club members decided this year to try something new – a Hawaiian Luau theme.
“It’s been kind of same-old, same-old,” said Carol Collison, event chairperson. “We decided to shake things up.”
The Luau had a live band and dancers later in the evening.
But the real deal is that the extravaganza is held to help raise money for various organisations.
This year the money will go to North Bay Pediatrics, CASA of Solano County, Child Haven, Midnight Sun, Boy Scouts, scholarships, Meals on Wheels, The Zimmerman Fund, Fun on the Run and 1033 Foundation.
“We usually raise about $30,000 to $40,000 each year depending on corporate sponsorships,” said Jason Perkins, Rotary Club president.
“In Rotary no dollar goes to waste,” he said. “It all goes to a great cause.”
Perkins noted that the theme brought a fresh feel to the event and the band was very good.
Rotary is a service club with four avenues of service: club service, vocational service, community service and international service.
Wherever Rotarians gather, they work for goals bigger than any one person.
And, the goal of cooperation for the good of all is what makes Rotary known and loved around the world, according to the Rotary website.
Visitors could sample everything from ribs to ice cream from local restaurants.
Twelve eateries – plus an event mainstay – came out this year, including Fortress Restaurant and Lounge, Cabalen Cuisine, Los Reyes, Mary’s Pizza Shack, Cast Iron Grill, Mankas Corner Steakhouse, Hilton Garden Inn, Fenton’s Creamery, Legends and Heroes, Chez Soul, Mountain Mike’s Pizza, Trader Joe’s and State Farm’s (Dacus Family) Ribs.
A baker’s dozen wineries and three breweries brought liquid refreshments.
They included Conundrum, Wooden Valley Winery, Sunset Cellars, Domaine Chandon, Ehler, Vitus, Vezer Family Vineyard, Rutherford Hill, Blacksmith, King Andrews, Uvaggio, Mangels and Sutter Home. Beer pouring included Heretic Brewing Company, Fuddruckers and Lagunitas.
Some of the vendors operated their own booths, but many were operated by Rotary club members and other volunteers as a way to show appreciation to the vendors for their donations of food and drink.
Craig Pyle from Fairfield has come for the past two years and was loving the ribs.
“I just came to support the Rotary and Boy Scouts,” he said.
The event also included a prize drawing and silent auction with hundreds of different items.
Source: Daily Republic
