Neosho, MO—Crowder College Foundation staff and volunteers will spend the next two weeks transforming Longwell Museum into a department store dripping in merchandise and holiday décor as they make preparations for Festival of Wreaths, presented by McDonald County Telephone Company. The event takes place at 5 pm on Tuesday, November 12 in Elsie Plaster Community Center on the Crowder College campus in Neosho. The popular community event ushers in the holiday season while raising funds to support scholarships. Festival of Wreaths consists of both a live and silent auction.
Festival of Wreaths began as a live auction of 30-40 holiday wreaths and swags. Now in its 17th year, the event has grown into an electronically integrated silent auction of more than 500 items as well as a live auction of around 40 items. Because the auction is electronically integrated, bidders have the freedom to move about the venue during the event. This technology eliminates the need to hover over items as bidders receive text messages when they get outbid. While holiday wreaths and décor will always be a mainstay of Festival of Wreaths, auction merchandise at the event includes everything from gift baskets and apparel to outdoor/sports equipment, electronics, and household items. Guests can preview the catalog by visiting fow19.givesmart.com or texting FOW19 to 52182 for the mobile link.
Notable auction items this year include a 4×4 Atlas Safe Room, a personal visit from Santa, a private showing at Neosho’s B&B Theatre, a 6-foot copper replica of Tatum Bell Tower that’s also a working grandfather clock, a private hunt at 4B’s Hunting Resort, a Padres jersey autographed by Crowder College alum and former MLB pitcher Andy Ashby, and one-time use of Hidden Grace Event Venue.
Thanks to a partnership with Lowe Boats & Marine Center in Joplin, the Foundation will raffle a Lowe 1852 MT Aura Jon Boat. Tickets are $25 each. Additionally, a winner’s choice raffle sponsored by Newton County Abstract & Title will offer the winning ticketholder choice of one of three prizes: Toshiba 50” LED Smart TV with HDR Fire, an iRobot Roomba 690 Wi-Fi Connected Vacuuming Robot, or a 14K White Gold Checkerboard Cut Aquamarine & Diamond Pendant. Raffle tickets are $5 each or $20 for five. Tickets for both raffles may be purchased on the auction website or at the event. The winner does not have to be present to win either raffle.
Festival of Wreaths is open to the public and tickets are not needed. Guests should bring a fully charged smartphone for bidding. Those who wish to attend can pre-register at any time by visiting the auction site.
