April 19, 2016

Prairie Rose Gala to raise funds for nature park project

By Amy Robinson
Farmer Staff Writer

For those of you who were used to pulling out your fancy dresses or freshly-ironed suits and spending a fun evening out at the annual Boots & Bling Spring Gala each year, you don’t have to worry!
Although the Boots & Bling event is not taking place this year, the Prairie Rose Gala, sponsored by the Young Professionals of Watford City, will be taking its place instead and offering the community another eventful evening in support of a very worthy cause - complete with dinner, music, and plenty of entertainment.
“The McKenzie County Healthcare Services Benefit Fund members approached us and said they wouldn’t be having the Boots & Bling event this year,” stated Kelsey Linseth, vice president of the Young Professionals of Watford City. “And as a new organization in Watford City, they thought it would be a great way for us to present ourselves and support the community. And then the Kent Pelton Nature Park kind of came up and it all came together perfectly. The Prairie Rose Gala will be something fun and a little different.”
Watford City area residents are invited to the Prairie Rose Gala on Saturday, April 23. The event is Old Hollywood-themed and attendees are welcome and encouraged to pull out their top hats and furs. But by all means, says Linseth,  people don’t have to dress up if they don’t want to. She adds that they’d like to tell people to dress as formally as they feel comfortable.
The Prairie Rose Gala will start at 6 p.m., in the Outlaws’ Bar & Grill Ballroom in Watford City. A wide variety of silent auction items will be available for bidding throughout the evening, and attendees will also have the option of sponsoring or purchasing items to put in the new Kent Pelton Nature Park.
“As an organization, we chose to have the event support the Kent Pelton Nature Park for a number of reasons,” explains Linseth. “Kent Pelton was such a wonderful man that loved the community. He was so kind to everyone he met and made them feel important and noticed. Really, it’s hard to describe him - there’s so many adjectives I could use to label the kind of man he was. And it’s not like this opportunity will come up again. It was the perfect timing to support a cause the community is so passionate about.”
Outlaws’ Bar & Grill will be serving a full-scale meal comprised of chicken marsala, green beans, and roasted potatoes. And the sweetest part of the meal - cheesecake - will be served for dessert. Attendees will also enjoy fresh bread and cheese baskets prior to the evening’s meal.
This year’s event will feature live entertainment by North Dakota band, EZ Street. Formed in September of 2006, EZ Street describes themselves as North Dakota’s premiere live musical experience. Out of Bismarck, they play everything from classic to current Country and Rock.
Between the night’s silent auction and the items for sponsorship, which will be placed at the Kent Pelton Nature Park, there is plenty for the night’s attendees to bid on and sponsor.
Some of the items up for bid include a home-made wooden bench, a Watford City Wolves fire pit, a Beaver Creek Creations gift basket, a gardening basket, several art pieces from local artists including photos and paintings, a couple photography packages, a coffee gift basket, and several more items.
Out of the 208 tickets, about half remain for purchase. Tickets are $50, $75, and $100 per person. The ticket price determines how close to the stage you are seated. Tickets can still be purchased at Larsen Service Drug from Kelsey Linseth, Door 204, or First International Bank & Trust from Jeremiah Beard.
All proceeds from the gala will be donated directly to the Kent Pelton Nature Park.
“This event is more of a vehicle to get items put in the Kent Pelton Nature Park,” Linseth stated. “Items include things such as benches, trees, and shelters. Robin Arndt, Watford City Park District supervisor, says that everything going into the park will be very natural-looking, which is the way Kent Pelton would have liked it.”
“As the Young Professionals of Watford City, our goal is to better the community,” added Linseth. “We want to give back and make this the best place to live. This was a great opportunity for us to give back to support and better our community.”

WATFORD CITY WEATHER