Comments (0) | |

Saturday, Jul. 17, 2010

Aviation museum's annual auction, raffle returns tonight

WARNER ROBINS — The annual Museum of Aviation Foundation Auction, Raffle and Taste of Local Cuisine is just hours away.

Admission to the event, held in the Century of Flight Hangar at the museum, is $75 for up to two people. Each $75 ticket is good for one entry into the raffle for the night’s biggest prize — either $25,000 or a choice of one of six vehicles.

The silent auction begins at 6:30 p.m., followed by the live auction at 8 p.m.

Saturday night’s event marks the 25th anniversary of the auction, which is the second largest fundraising event for the museum after the Georgia Invitational Golf Tournament.

In July 1997, it raised $25,000. According to June Lowe, executive vice president of the Museum of Aviation Foundation, the amount is now closer to $100,000 each year.

“It was started by volunteers and is still run by volunteers,” Lowe said.

This year, the vehicles available are a Ford Fusion, Nissan Titan, Chevy Camaro, Jeep Wrangler, Kia Sorento and Toyota Tundra. The vehicles were donated by Five Star’s Ford, Nissan, Chevrolet, Jeep and Kia dealerships, as well as Lowe Toyota.

Some of the items up for bid, either in the silent or live auction, include a night at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville, N.C.; four tickets to the Gator Bowl with seats on the 50-yard-line; Georgia National Fair VIP package concert tickets; and a one-night stay at the Brasstown Valley Resort in the north Georgia mountains.

About 30 restaurants will bring samples for the public to taste during the Taste of Local Cuisine.

“It’s quite a night,” Lowe said.

To contact writer Angela Woolen, call 923-5650.