Olds College (OC) is holding a new fundraiser this year: the Homestead Feast.
It takes place this Friday, April 13 at the Alumni Centre. The reception begins at 5 p.m. with the program beginning at 6 p.m. About 325 people are expected to attend. Attire for the event is described as "business casual."
The feast, which showcases local food and talent, replaces the Growing The Legacy Gala, which was held for many years.
"Our previous gala event had a successful run, but we felt it was time to host a new event centred around a field-to-fork dining experience that showcases locally produced food and entertainment," OC corporate communications & marketing director Blayne Meek says.
She also notes by holding the event at the Alumni Centre, a major fundraiser and social event is being moved "back to the heart of our homestead." In recent years, the gala was held at the Ralph Klein Centre.
The event is a fundraiser for a new animal health education centre at the college.
Meek says the fundraising goal for that project is $6 million.
"We are currently collaborating with both government and industry on the funding of this project," she says.
Promotional material from the college says that new world-class facility "will create a learning environment that celebrates leading-edge student-centred practices, with a focus on animal welfare, applied research, and utilizing state-of-the-art technology.
"The new centre will promote and enable animal care and welfare, low-stress handling requirements, and future expansion of animal programming at Olds College."
Meek says there's great need for the new facility.
"In 1975, the existing Olds College Animal Sciences building opened its doors, offering one program to 25 students. Today, the same facilities serve over 175 students and our programs have expanded from our flagship animal health technology program to include four others."
Meek says in keeping with the homestead theme, food for the event's dinner has been obtained "from a variety of local producers within the Central Alberta region."
"We will be serving prime rib from the Olds College retail meat store. The Olds College Brewery has also created a special beer for the event, called Farmhouse Ale," she says.
Entertainers include Olds-area musicians Nolan Ray and Dustin Farr, who doubles as an instructor in the college's agricultural management program.
Other entertainers include Honey and Pearls, a female vocal duo from Didsbury; and Brianna Lizotte, a 17-year-old fiddle player from Sylvan Lake.
Speakers during the event include OC president Stuart Cullum as well as David Bjolin and Becky Taylor, who are both instructors in the college's animal health technology program.
Mountain View County, the college's 2018 partner of the year, will also be highlighted.
MCs for the event are two students: Genevieve Annand (equine science) and Delanie Knull (agriculture management).
A live auction will also be held.
Planning for the Homestead Feast began back in September.
