Major’s Steak Shoot raises over $45,000
SUBMITTED BY BAILEY KEMERY
Major Steak Shoot was held on April 2 at the Major Centennial Hall in Major. This was the 6th steak shoot event we have hosted, starting in 2018 (taking two years off for COVID). We found that our small community board was unable to take on the three-day slow pitch tournament and 'Redneck Games'; we had to shake things up to raise funds for the maintenance of our community hall. We discussed bringing back the old-fashioned 'turkey shoot' but decided to replace turkeys with steaks. We have a mini range set up in the basement, where pellet guns are used.
In six years, we have had both silent and live auctions, as well as a steak supper and great entertainment. This is a family-friendly event with kids' door prizes and even kid auction items. This year, we had a kid auction item in the live auction, and it was so fun to watch the little ones bid, although I'm sure the parents were on edge.
This event is the main event within our community that funds the maintenance and upgrades of our community hall. Major has one of the most beautiful and updated halls in the rural area, and we love renting it, and having events in it to show what our community money goes to. After the rink was condemned and demolished quite a few years ago, the board turned their energy towards keeping the hall going. A major upgrade was done around 2010, and we have been trying to keep up since then. Complete upgrades have been made to both the interior and exterior of the building.
Our event is wildly successful. This year we sold almost 200 steak suppers and 40 hot dog suppers. We drank the bar dry, had amazing auction items and maxed out on our gun raffle ticket sales (which was a Henry Golden Boy .22). Our entertainment this year was the Sirens Duelling Pianos from Saskatoon and they were amazing. One of the big ticket live auction items that people love to bid on is a 'fly-in fishing trip to TODO Lake'; taking a small 3-seat plane, leaving from Luseland, flying to a local fishing hole, then coming back for some pizzas on us! It's such a fun experience.
The event itself is just something to watch, as we, the organizers, run around chaotically, the creativity behind some of the auction items and hanging onto the 'Redneck' Persona we have branded for ourselves. The social aspect of it is something people truly look forward to, especially for the snowbirds who just get home in time for it.
We raised over $45,000.00 this year. When we started, we brought in $10,000, with each year slowly going up, so we are thrilled we could make that much. I'm sure, at one point, it will taper and drop, but with our new funds, we are able to purchase our two new furnaces for the hall and some for now.
We have a small board of 9 people, but our community is incredibly supportive. I honestly cannot explain how amazing our small community of Major is. Not only do they always step in to take a shift, kick items up, or step in when we need them, but they never hesitate to give money to support the hall. And of course, our donors are appreciated just as much, making our event as successful and profitable as possible. I am so grateful for my kids to grow up in a place where they are shown the importance of community efforts and volunteerism.
We typically run our event on the first weekend in April, but next year, it may be the second based on Easter. If you can get a chance to come check out the event, you should; it is so worth the drive. Be warned though, you could end up leaving with a sheep, have to sing a song or even wear a wig and some lipstick.