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

Thatsa国际传媒檚 the intent of event brainchild Scott Crocker and artistic and managing director Estelle Shook as they gear up for the third annual June 2.

sa国际传媒淚tsa国际传媒檚 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,sa国际传媒� Shook said. sa国际传媒淎t the centre is the theatrical live auction.sa国际传媒�

Complete with outlaw-lead entertainment, this yearsa国际传媒檚 auction will be brought to life by Don Raffan of Armstrongsa国际传媒檚 Valley Auction LTD.

sa国际传媒淭hat just lifts it up so much,sa国际传媒� Shook said of having Raffan lead the auction. sa国际传媒淗esa国际传媒檚 such a pillar of the community. I grew up watching him as an auctioneer. For me, itsa国际传媒檚 really special that we finally have Don. Wesa国际传媒檙e really looking forward to that.sa国际传媒�

Raffan, a long-time auctioneer, will be getting the crowd excited for Caravansa国际传媒檚 thematic packages that combine multiple prizes, such as golf and bed and breakfast in a similar region, to create a complete offering.

sa国际传媒淚tsa国际传媒檚 like having an incredible commercial,sa国际传媒� Shook said. sa国际传媒淒on will talk about it (a prize) and make it sound like itsa国际传媒檚 the best thing since sliced bread.sa国际传媒�

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

sa国际传媒淲esa国际传媒檝e had tremendous support from local businesses,sa国际传媒� 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 Caravansa国际传媒檚 Goliath donation thermometer.

sa国际传媒淚t was so exciting when we saw red explode out the top,sa国际传媒� Shook said.

Crocker said this year is shaping up to be even bigger than last yearsa国际传媒檚 hoedown.

sa国际传媒淚 think itsa国际传媒檒l be good. Every year it gets smoother. (And there are) more theatrical surprises, which will be fun,sa国际传媒� Crocker said. sa国际传媒淲e get better at it every year.sa国际传媒�

While Hands Up, at its core, is a fundraiser for Caravan Farm Theatre, Shook and Crocker said itsa国际传媒檚 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.

sa国际传媒淲hat I like about this is itsa国际传媒檚 a fun evening for the whole family and you get a delicious burger and a pint and then the beautiful ambiance,sa国际传媒� Shook said.

Admission also includes a locally-cultivated gourmet burger with meat from Helmutsa国际传媒檚 Sausage Kitchen, buns from Country Bakery in Armstrongsa国际传媒檚 Askewsa国际传媒檚 Foods and condiments and greens from local farmerssa国际传媒檚 markets. And, to wash it down, ticketholders receive a craft brew from long-time supporters Crannog Ales.

And itsa国际传媒檚 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.

sa国际传媒淚tsa国际传媒檚 a farce. Itsa国际传媒檚 a flat-out comedy,sa国际传媒� Shook said of production, which opens July 24. sa国际传媒淎ll your typical farce tropes are in this piece. Itsa国际传媒檚 like laugh your face off comedy. Wesa国际传媒檙e really looking forward to it.sa国际传媒�

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.

sa国际传媒淲e exist so we can provide something good for the community,sa国际传媒� Shook said. sa国际传媒淭his fundraiser is a really important part of our operation. It enables us to keep ticket prices as low as we do. Itsa国际传媒檚 a really important part of the puzzle.sa国际传媒�

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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