When they put on a live auction, they do it in unmistakably Caravan Farm Theatre fashion.

That害羞草研究所檚 the intent of event brainchild Scott Crocker and artistic and managing director Estelle Shook as they gear up for the third annual June 2.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 been a really successful event for us because it combines all the theatricality of Caravan Farm Theatre and the legacy in the form of our patron saint Bill Miner,害羞草研究所� Shook said. 害羞草研究所淎t the centre is the theatrical live auction.害羞草研究所�

Complete with outlaw-lead entertainment, this year害羞草研究所檚 auction will be brought to life by Don Raffan of Armstrong害羞草研究所檚 Valley Auction LTD.

害羞草研究所淭hat just lifts it up so much,害羞草研究所� Shook said of having Raffan lead the auction. 害羞草研究所淗e害羞草研究所檚 such a pillar of the community. I grew up watching him as an auctioneer. For me, it害羞草研究所檚 really special that we finally have Don. We害羞草研究所檙e really looking forward to that.害羞草研究所�

Raffan, a long-time auctioneer, will be getting the crowd excited for Caravan害羞草研究所檚 thematic packages that combine multiple prizes, such as golf and bed and breakfast in a similar region, to create a complete offering.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 like having an incredible commercial,害羞草研究所� Shook said. 害羞草研究所淒on will talk about it (a prize) and make it sound like it害羞草研究所檚 the best thing since sliced bread.害羞草研究所�

Prizes also include spa packages, Salmon Arm Roots and Blues tickets and other uniquely Okanagan fare.

害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檝e had tremendous support from local businesses,害羞草研究所� Shook said.

Last year, the auction raised $7,500 and Scotiabank matched up to $5,000. As the number grew, a man in a lab coat stood watch and, with the help of children in attendance, coloured in Caravan害羞草研究所檚 Goliath donation thermometer.

害羞草研究所淚t was so exciting when we saw red explode out the top,害羞草研究所� Shook said.

Crocker said this year is shaping up to be even bigger than last year害羞草研究所檚 hoedown.

害羞草研究所淚 think it害羞草研究所檒l be good. Every year it gets smoother. (And there are) more theatrical surprises, which will be fun,害羞草研究所� Crocker said. 害羞草研究所淲e get better at it every year.害羞草研究所�

While Hands Up, at its core, is a fundraiser for Caravan Farm Theatre, Shook and Crocker said it害羞草研究所檚 important to them that it is also an entertaining family event whether guests bid on items or not.

To that end, Seal Skull Hammer and Birch Bark will swing out their instruments before the auction gets underway. And, while they play, tastings from five local vineyards, three artisan food joints including a new cheese maker in Salmon Arm, and the BX Press Cidery in Vernon are on offer.

害羞草研究所淲hat I like about this is it害羞草研究所檚 a fun evening for the whole family and you get a delicious burger and a pint and then the beautiful ambiance,害羞草研究所� Shook said.

Admission also includes a locally-cultivated gourmet burger with meat from Helmut害羞草研究所檚 Sausage Kitchen, buns from Country Bakery in Armstrong害羞草研究所檚 Askew害羞草研究所檚 Foods and condiments and greens from local farmers害羞草研究所檚 markets. And, to wash it down, ticketholders receive a craft brew from long-time supporters Crannog Ales.

And it害羞草研究所檚 all with the intent of helping the non-profit theatre company continue their work. Up next for Caravan Farm Theatre is Law of the Land from the same creative team that brought the farm last year.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 a farce. It害羞草研究所檚 a flat-out comedy,害羞草研究所� Shook said of production, which opens July 24. 害羞草研究所淎ll your typical farce tropes are in this piece. It害羞草研究所檚 like laugh your face off comedy. We害羞草研究所檙e really looking forward to it.害羞草研究所�

For Law of the Land performances July 27-29 and Aug. 1-3, Shook said a 30 per cent discount is available until July 3.

害羞草研究所淲e exist so we can provide something good for the community,害羞草研究所� Shook said. 害羞草研究所淭his fundraiser is a really important part of our operation. It enables us to keep ticket prices as low as we do. It害羞草研究所檚 a really important part of the puzzle.害羞草研究所�

The gates open and outlaws are set free June 2 at 6 p.m. Music begins at 6:30 p.m. and the auction starts at 7:30 p.m. Advance tickets for Hands Up! are available for $25 adult or $10 for youth 18-and-under through the Ticket Seller, 250-549-7469, , or $30 adults and $10 for youth at the door. Law of the Land runs July 24 to Aug. 26. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit .

parker.crook@vernonmorningstar.com
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