Cellarbration! For Education coming March 21

MOSES LAKE — Tickets were still available Wednesday for Cellarbration! for Education, the Big Bend Community College Foundation’s annual fundraising auction and banquet. 

“Every dollar raised at Cellarbration! has a direct impact on student lives,” Foundation Director LeAnne Parton wrote in an announcement from the college. “Our donors and community partners make it possible for students to stay enrolled, complete their programs, and build brighter futures.” 

This is the 25th year the Foundation has held the auction, which raises money for scholarships for Big Bend Community College students, according to an announcement from the college. This year’s theme will be “Get Ready for a Roaring Good Time,” with callbacks to the 1920s world of flappers, sheiks and shebas and “The Great Gatsby.” There will be a fine selection of Northwest wines and a catered dinner, as well as silent, live and dessert auctions. 

The auction raises money for scholarships across the 4,600-square-mile service area, the largest in Washington state, according to the college’s announcement. At least one student from each of the 19 high schools within that area will receive a scholarship, as well as students returning to finish their education after a pause, according to the Columbia Basin Herald archives. 

The event also includes a special paddle-raise that feeds an emergency fund for students who run into unexpected financial difficulties that could force them to drop out otherwise. 

Last year, the event raised a record $257,800, according to Columbia Basin Herald archives, an increase over 2024 of more than $10,000. 

“I believe the reason Big Bend is as successful as we are is (that) everyone here believes in the mission, and the mission is pretty simple – let's take care of our students,” BBCC President Sara Thompson Tweedy said at last year’s event. 

Cellarbration! 2026  

March 21 

Reception and silent auction 5 p.m., dinner 6:30 p.m.  

BBCC ATEC Building, 7611 Bolling St. NE, Moses Lake  

Individual $125, table of eight $1,200, table of 10 $1,500 

Tickets available at https://bit.ly/BBCC-Cellar26 

    Attendees look over the silent auction items at the BBCC Cellarbration! scholarship fundraiser.