On Saturday, May 2, friends of the Old Blanco County Courthouse will gather at 6:00 pm for the nineteenth annual fundraiser Gala, Sparkles and Spurs. The Old Blanco County Courthouse Preservation Society will again set up a giant party tent on the East lawn of the Courthouse grounds where attendees will be treated to a gourmet dinner catered by Blanco’s own Sullivan Street Caterers. Featured food station items will include fruit, cheese, meatball and bruschetta appetizers; choice of green salads and breads; Tuscan-style flat-iron steaks, Tuscan roasted chicken breasts and smoked onion mashed potatoes; and assorted bite-size desserts. Pecan Street will be blocked off for dancing to the music of the Sam Bentley country-western band from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm.

Auction prizes are now displayed downstairs in the Courthouse and bids may be entered at any time until the Silent Auction closes Saturday evening at 9:00pm. High bidders will not need to be present to win. Gala attendees will participate in a live auction of selected items starting at 9:00 pm.

Auction highlights will include: “Dinner on the Docs” (Drs. John Weaver and Doug Pautz will cook a special dinner for 6 guests at the home of the winning bidder), “Hill Country Getaway” for two at Juniper Hills Farm cabins/casitas for one night and two spots in an Onion Creek Kitchens cooking class by Sibby Barrett; Gas-fired Chiminea donated by Blanco Hydro Gas; new handmade Queen Size Quilt donated by Shirley Hodgson; private tour and wine tasting for up to 12 persons donated by Texas Hills Winery of Johnson City; Mexican tin-framed wall mirror from Austin’s El Interior (Marcia Lucas & Charlie Tesar); Friar statuette from Wimberley’s Blue Willow (Bob & Judy Bowman); hand-crafted cedar porch swing by MJ Ventures of San Antonio; a night on the Riverwalk for two including overnight at the Hotel Valencia, dinner at Citrus and room service breakfast donated by Carl and Paulette Stepp and many, many more opportunities to support the Courthouse by bidding for special items and services donated by local residents and businesses.

Gala tickets, currently on sale daily in the Old Courthouse, are $50 each. A reserved table, with eight tickets included may be had for $500. Special Sponsor Tables are available for $1000 at the Silver Sponsor level and $2000 at the Gold Sponsor level. Tickets may also be purchased on Saturday night at the door. Call OBCCPS at 833-2211 for details and additional information

Public support of the historic Old Blanco County Courthouse is still needed. Gala income will be used for continuing restoration and maintenance of the Courthouse, debt reduction, and landscaping. The annual OBCCPS Courthouse Fundraiser Gala, held for the past 18 years, has become a Blanco tradition for fun, fellowship and support of Blanco County’s most significant historic building.