Channahon-Minooka Rotary Club Hosts Fall Fundraiser

The will host its fourth annual October Fest on Saturday, Oct. 1 at to provide scholarships and awards to area students.

Patrick Minor, Channahon Minooka Rotary president said he hopes the event raises enough funds to give out four, $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors in May.

Last year’s profits of about $7,000 funded only two $1,000 scholarships, Minor said. 

Portions of the funds also provided dictionaries to every third-grader in the and , as well as Student of the Month Awards at Minooka Community High School and awards to graduating eighth-graders at and , he said.

The Rotary Club also issued scholarships to weekend leadership conferences and sponsored baseball teams in Minooka and Channahon.

October Fest will go on “rain or shine,” Minor said. The event will take place from 6:30 to 11:30 p.m., will include a bonfire and a bean bag tournament, and the local band Living Proof will perform from 7 to 11 p.m.

Living Proof plays 1960s rock and blues. Members of the band include residents Tim Slabaugh, lead guitar and singer; and Tim Costa, rhythm guitar and singer. Bill Sarter is featured on bass guitar.

Channahon Deputy Police Chief Jeff Wold, who is a Rotary Club member, is the band’s drummer.

While the event is outdoors, some modifications at past October Fests had to be made due to the weather, Minor said. 

“Unfortunately our first year we had to cancel because of the rain,” Minor said. 

The continuous downpour throughout the day caused very muddy conditions on the farm. It was unsuitable to hold the event. The parking areas were flooded and would have caused parked vehicles to sink into the mud.

On the premises of is a large building for special functions, such as the Rotary event. During pumpkin season, the building is used as a place where concessions are sold.

Minor said that building became handy when the last year’s event had to be moved inside because it was cold.

“Last year we had a pretty good turn out, despite the cold weather,” he said. “We were in the one building and it was a little tight, but we all still had a good time.”

More than 200 people attended last year’s event, Minor said. He hopes there are many more in attendance this year.

“We are prepared for it,” Minor said. “It is great that Dollinger’s is donating the use of her venue, for our event. It’s a beautiful place to have a fall event.”

Noreen Dollinger, owner of the pumpkin farm, was president of the Rotary Club in 2009-10. 

New to this year’s event is a raffle and a silent auction. Minor said local business are donating items and gift baskets. Raffle tickets will be sold at the event.

Tickets can be purchased online or from any Channahon-Minooka Rotary member, Minor said. The cost is $30 per ticket. The admission includes dinner and music. A catered dinner from in Morris will include bratwurst, smoked pork chops, potato salad, Waldorf salad, vegetable trays and apple strudel.  An assortment of beer, wine, soda and water will be available for purchase. 

“I’m looking forward to the event,” Minor said. “It will be a fun time. I’m looking forward to seeing a lot of people there.”