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Osceola News-Gazette
There will be seed spittin’, a toilet paper relay, corn hole, a best britches contest and other games at the 13th Annual Redneck Gala fundraiser sponsored by St. Cloud Main Street. And you may even see some buck teeth and overalls.
The event is Jan. 18, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Hastings Ranch. Tickets are $65 before Jan. 8, and $75 through Jan. 15.
“It’s a fun time,” said Main Street Director Paula Stark. “It allows people to interact on a business and personal level in a different setting than normal.”
A Tim McGraw tribute band will be the evening’s entertainment – Vegas McGraw. The event’s auction will be bigger than ever this year. Items include: tickets to Central Florida Zoo, gold seat tickets to the Solar Bears, Orlando City Soccer, Orlando Repertory Theater, Medieval Times, Chuy’s Mexican Restaurant, Kissimmee Main Street Pub Crawl, Yeoman’s Cask & Iron, Kennedy Space Center and much more.
Food is provided by the Osceola County Cattleman’s Association, Outback Steakhouse and Catfish Place. They will be serving steaks, cole slaw, baked potatoes and baked beans. The ticket also includes beer and wine.
Gary Ketchum, a former board member of St. Cloud Main Street, said he’s been involved in the event since the beginning.
“It’s a big success,” he said.
It has grown from an event held at his home with 100 people or so and about 300 are expected this year.
Stark said St. Cloud Main Street is dedicated to preserving the city’s history.
“(Redneck Gala) is a good cause and helps promote the historic district and keep it healthy,” she added.
The Main Street Program began in 1999 and is a revitalization program to encourage economic development along with historic preservation. The nonprofit is funded by sponsors, memberships, city and county governments and run by volunteers.
The Redneck Gala will help raise funds for many projects. Stark said they want to continue. That includes Florida Historical Marker Program, which helps place markers and plaques at sites of historical significance. One of St. Cloud Main Street’s goals is to identify 10 historic buildings in which to place markers. The one most recently approved is the Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Hall.
The money raised will also be used for the restoration of murals, which depict parts of the town’s history. The St. Cloud Historical Mural Trail is part of a statewide trail connecting mural cities across the state.
Funds for walking tours, mobile apps for merchants and education are all part of future plans, Stark said. Other events held by St. Cloud Main Street include Smoke and Brews in May, Veteran’s Salute dinner in November, Breakfast with the Pros and Small Business Saturday.
“St. Cloud Main Street does a lot of good in the community,” said Ketchum. “It helps the downtown community come together.”
