Ephrata chamber offers Taste of Basin fund-raiser

Members enjoy 'An Evening in Venice'

EPHRATA - Socializing tops the list of many Ephrata Chamber of Commerce members during their lone fund raising.

"The general networking and friendship that goes along with the wine-tasting and the beer-tasting, the social part of it, is probably the thing I enjoy the most," said Executive Director Suzanne Dahl. "It's nice to be able to visit with people, see old friends and meet new faces."

The chamber offers its annual Taste of the Basin celebration with a silent auction Saturday at 6 p.m., and a live auction at 8 p.m.

The event takes place in the St. Rose of Lima Catholic School gymnasium.

"It's the annual fund-raiser for the chamber," Dahl said. "It's our big event that facilitates the daily operations, as well as increasing business to the community and the surrounding area."

The chamber also uses the funds for such events as Basin Summer Sounds and Miracle on Main Street.

Five wineries will be on hand during the celebration, and there will be beer-tasting as well, Dahl said.

"Our theme this year is 'An Evening in Venice,'" she said. "It's going to be a lot of fun, we've had a decorating committee that's been really hard at work. It's going to look really nice in there when they're done. We have an Italian-themed dinner - I believe it's chicken fettuccini."

The fund-raiser also garnered some "awesome" procurements this year, Dahl added, including golfing trips, fishing trips, horseback riding, hunting, GPS systems and more.

"Some really great things are going to be featured at our auction this year," she said. "We've had a great group of people helping this year, so it's going to be a lot of fun."

Dahl said she would like to see 300 people in attendance.

Tickets are $30, or purchase a table for 10 for $250. Tickets are available at the chamber office, the Bookery, Nature's Reflections and at the door.

Dressing up is requested.

For more information, call the chamber at 509- 754-4656.