Learn about the local history of our county in the 1920s, enjoy dinner for two, and be entered into a contest to win a $10,000 grand prize - these are just some of the benefits of purchasing a ticket to the Kings Mountain Historical Museum's 14th Annual Reverse Raffle & Auctions, set to be held at the Patrick Senior Center, on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017.
"This is our biggest event of the year," says Adria Focht, museum director and curator. "With support from individuals throughout Kings Mountain and Cleveland County, our museum is able to provide educational exhibits and events free of charge to the public. The Annual Reverse Raffle & Auctions is a big piece of that support puzzle."
In addition to dinner and the grand prize drawing, the event will feature a live auction along with a silent auction and a cake auction. Other raffle prizes and entertainment will also be included.
"The theme of this year's event will tie to the museum's current exhibit, 'Great Gatsby: Cleveland County in the Roaring Twenties,'" says Focht. "Guests for the evening will enjoy the elegance of the era, and 1920s dress is encouraged."
Fundraising for the event got off to an early start with a $10,000 donation made by David and Marie Brinkley. The couple had recently toured a local history museum in another small town similar to Kings Mountain. They were impressed with the size of the multistory museum and the displays offered there.
"That visit had them asking, 'What if Kings Mountain had the resources in place to have a museum like this?'" says Focht.
The couple's experience motivated them to make a substantial contribution and to challenge others to do the same.
"The Kings Mountain Historical Museum is vital in preserving local history, improving education and quality of life for the citizens of our area, and driving economic development through tourism," says David Brinkley. "We understand that there is a considerable return on investment for supporting arts and culture in our town, and we challenge every organization and individual in Kings Mountain to get involved with the museum."
For more information about the Reverse Raffle & Auctions, visit the event page at www.kingsmountainmuseum.org/annual-fundraiser.html.
The exhibit "Great Gatsby: Cleveland County in the Roaring Twenties" will be on display at the museum through Oct. 21, 2017, and is open Tuesdays - Saturdays from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Admission to the exhibit is free.
To find out about other upcoming exhibits and events, visit the museum's website at
www.kingsmountainmuseum.org, call (704) 739-1019 or email director@kingsmountainmuseum.org.

By April Hoyle Shauf

Special to Community First Media