Deer Park Football Boosters Bring Oktoberfest to Annual Fundraiser

The Deer Park Football Club brought a new theme to its annual dinner and auction on Oct. 17, called Blitz, Brewz, & Bratz, with an Oktoberfest-style celebration featuring dinner, auctions, games, and community support for the Stag football program. Held at EverMore Event Center, the event included happy hour, appetizers, a bratwurst dinner, silent and live auctions, Stag racing, and a Cooper Kupp Pretzel Pull. According to Jenna Phillips, Football Booster Club president, although the club has hosted dinner auctions for several years, this was the first year the event featured an Oktoberfest theme.

The evening offered attendees opportunities to bid on a variety of donated items, including a framed photo of Ken Griffey Jr. and Sr., a four-night all-inclusive trip to Mexico, a framed Dolly Parton photo, a Stag Country sign, and a Stag Country fire pit, during the silent auction. Live auction items included player labor, two “Night on the Lake” packages at Coeur d’Alene Resort, a firepit by Flugel Creations, and a Stag helmet signed by the senior football players. All auction items were donated by community members.

The event also featured games designed to bring attendees into the fundraising fun. Phillips explained that Stag Rac- ing is a game where attendees play a giant dice game to determine the winner. The Cooper Kupp Pretzel Pull featured a football card donated by Deer Park Mayor Billy Costello. Pretzel bags were sold with numbers attached, and a number was randomly drawn to determine the winner. Local businesses also contributed to the evening. Big Ed’s Dogs and The Pie Lady Bakery, along with Master’s Brewhouse, donated their time, while EverMore Event Center provided the venue. Organizing the event required considerable coordination, Phillips said.

Approximately 10 volunteers helped, along with arranging the emcee, venue, food vendors, bartender, and the numerous donated auction items. Proceeds from the fundraiser will support the Deer Park football program, helping cover equipment, team meals, uniforms, travel, camps, and other program ex- penses. According to Deer Park booster member Jennifer Krantz, the event raised $7,000, an uptick from previous years. “The dinner and auction has been an annual event, but every year the money has been declining,” Phillips said, adding that the economy has contributed to changes in fundraising totals over the years. Despite the challenges, she said, community members continue to support the program however they can. Phillips said booster fundraising makes a significant difference for the players, coaches, and the overall program. “Our goal is to support our local team any way we can,” she said.