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Canfield bands continue pasta dinner tradition
Photo
Neighbors | Submitted.Members of the Canfield bands show off a small portion of the baskets which will be available to win during the Chinese auction at the Canfield Band Parents 45th annual Pasta Dinner and Chinese auction on Feb. 28.
By ABBY SLANKER
In keeping with their annual tradition, the Canfield Band Parents are gearing up for their 45th Annual Pasta Dinner and Chinese Auction set for Feb. 28.
According to Kim Urig, Chinese auction chairman, due to the long tradition, many families and friends return for the event each year.
“The annual Canfield Band Parents Pasta Dinner and Chinese Auction is held the last Saturday of every February. Because it is such a long tradition, we have family and friends who plan to return for the event every year. We’re very lucky to have a core group of sponsors and supporters who insure our event is a stunning success. This year, we are charging a flat rate admission of $6 per person. That includes the pasta dinner complete with homemade desserts, the music performances, and chances to enter the auction raffle,” Urig said.
The Chinese auction is a large part of the event, and the Canfield Band Parents start gathering donations as early as October.
“We began seeking donations as early as last October and have received donations from friends and families throughout the community. We will again have about 100 auction items, ranging from indoor and outdoor family fun, to gourmet food baskets, to practical items like gasoline and groceries gift cards.
“This year we also have items that will make for exciting trips, including tickets to the Top of the Rock - Rockefeller Center in New York, tickets for a taping of Wheel of Fortune in Los Angeles, zoo passes to both Cleveland and Pittsburgh zoos, and four Walt Disney World Park Hopper passes,” Urig said.
Tickets for the auction will be 6 for $5, with the exception of the Walt Disney World passes (valued at $536). They will be a separate raffle item at $5 per chance and 5 chances for $20.
“The passes are good for two years and with the band attending Disney to perform next Spring Break, we’re sure it’s going to be a popular item,” Urig said.
According to Urig, several local businesses and hometown favorites have been extremely helpful and supportive this year.
“We have private acoustic house concerts to auction from some of our favorite local musicians, including our hometown talent JD Eicher of JD Eicher and the Goodnights, Spencer Saylor, our former drum major, and Ryan Ross, of Ryan Ross and the Youngstown Syndicate. Our area has so much talent, it’s wonderful to see them supporting the school music programs.
“Other highlights from our supporters include a gift basket from Juvo Candles, a local company founded by two of our band alumni, Maggie Bresnahan and Scott McMurray, as well as gift baskets from Come Stay and Play Pet Resort, a lamp from Coventry Lighting, and the always popular Clarinet Lamp made and donated by The Music Gallery. We also want to thank our long time corporate sponsor DeAngelo Orthodontics for donating the gorgeous decorations. To see more of the items from our sponsors, be sure to check out our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/CanfieldBands, which is updated daily with photos of donations as they arrive,” Urig said.
The majority of the money raised from the Chinese auction is put into a uniform fund.
“The majority of the monies raised from the auction will go into a uniform fund. Pasta dinner and 50/50 monies go into operating funds which we use for paraprofessionals, sheet music, instruments and competition fees. We generally can wear our uniforms for about 10 years, although the last ones lasted 13 years. The funds we raise today may be used for the Class of 2025 or beyond. We’re looking ahead and believe our program will continue to grow, thrive, and bring pride to the next generation of music lovers,” Urig said.
Urig said the event is a collaborative effort with many volunteers and could not be a success without all their help and support.
“We couldn’t do this without the help of many, many people. We have our band officers executive officers, Rajiv Taneja, Kevin Chiu, Dennis Yohn, Sue Ricciutti and Stephen DeCapua. The booster program wouldn’t exist without them volunteering countless hours. Our band directors, Mike Kelly, Jim Volenik and Michael Fay also put in a lot of work.
“Mike Kilbreath is on his last year of coordinating the dinner, including the food, the kitchen help, set up and tear down, as well as the take out window. He will be handing the torch to Cathy Miasek for next year. Bob Ward handles the information and PR, making sure everyone knows who, what, where, why and when. He also helps coordinate the many volunteers.
“This is the last year I will be chairing the auction. Next year it will be in the capable hands of Steve Hlaudy, but he has been assisting me all this year, so we have a seamless transition. We’d be remiss if we didn’t give a shout out to Sheree Bozse in her last year of service as the uniform chair, as she has kept our band looking sharp and professional,” Urig said.
Each band will be performing at different times throughout the day, with the following schedule:
11 a.m. - High School Ensembles
11:30 a.m. - High School Concert Band
12:15 p.m. - High School Symphonic Band
1:15 p.m. - 5th Grade Band
2:15 p.m. - 6th Grade Band
3:30 p.m. - 7th Grade Band
4:30 p.m. - 8th Grade Band
4:45 p.m. - High School Jazz Band
The 45th Annual Pasta Dinner and Chinese Auction will take place from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Feb. 28, at Canfield High School. The auction will close promptly at 4:30 p.m. and winners will be announced after the last band performance.
“Canfield Bands perform with pride throughout the year at community events, from veteran’s programs, to the annual Memorial Day and Fourth of July parades and Lighting the Green. We are grateful to be part of such a civic-minded community and look forward to another year representing the great town of Canfield,” Urig said.