The 5th Annual Custer County Ag Society Winter Ball will be the first major in-person event of 2021 despite COVID-19 restrictions. Custer County Fairgrounds Administrator Michelle Nelson told KCNI/KBBN that the hope is to reach the maximum capacity allowed at 275 people.
The event will be held in the One Box Convention Center on January 30. Social hour begins the night from 5:30-6:30 PM before a grilled New York Strip Dinner is served to guests. While the dinner will be buffet style, servers will plate the food and hand the plate to the guest at the end of the line.
Also during the Winter Ball, guests will have the opportunity to bid on items during the silent auction, which begins at 5:30, or during the live auction following dinner. Some of the items that will be available to bid on include 40 bags of mineral, donated by Evans Feed, guns, including a lady’s handgun, donated by Gun Cents, semen straws donated by ABS Global and Better Beef Genetics, as well as many other items. Following the auction the band Borderline will finish out the evening’s events with a dance.
Heading into its fifth year, the Winter Ball is an opportunity for the Ag Society to raise funds that help support the appearance and function of the fairgrounds. Nelson said that the money raised will help with updating electrical throughout the fairgrounds and handicap accessible seating in the grandstands.
While the 2020 Winter Ball brought in an estimated $22,000, Nelson said that with the tough financial year everyone has had, it is hoped that the Winter Ball can raise $10,000-$15,000 to help with the projects planned for 2021.
Nelson noted that while masks will not be required, they will be available for people if they would like to wear them. Hand sanitizer will also be available for use and high touch surfaces will be cleaned often to help prevent any possible spread of COVID-19
She also said that if anyone does not feel well or may have been exposed to COVID-19 to please stay home. If anyone is not comfortable attending the Winter Ball, but would still like to donate to the Ag Society, please call Nelson at (308) 870-2493.
Tickets are still available at $40 per ticket or you can purchase a table (seats ten) at $360. For more information or to purchase a ticket/table please contact Michelle Nelson (308) 870-2493.
