Some spurs go along with Jacks in latest fundraiser
IT’S TIME TO DUST off your spurs and come out for a fun night in support of your Wellesley Applejacks.
The Junior C hockey club is hosting a country night next month at the Wellesley Arena, titled Jacks ‘N Spurs with all profits going back to the team.
“We’re just looking for lots of creative ways to bring in money for the organization and bring people together. We’re going to have a very exciting season this year. We have lots of great events planned, so it’s just a way of getting everyone excited for the season,” said fundraising committee member Ashley Gerber.
Eight Second Ride will be performing for the night. They often play at the Stampede Corral in Kitchener, and Gerber says they’re pretty well known and popular in this neck of the woods.
The idea for the event came when the committee was shooting fundraising ideas around in the spring. They talked about how the local firefighters had held a dance and it brought out a huge crowd.
“We thought ‘hey why don’t we try doing a dance as well’ because it was so successful and it’s something that Wellesley needs and everybody in the town had a lot of fun. We thought we’d give it a try and switch it up a little bit,” she said.
The committee has added some new members this year and with them came more ideas. They don’t have a financial goal in mind, just that it’s a successful night of fun and monies raised for the team.
The ticket includes admission and the live band.
“And then we’re going to have a late night snack, which will be pulled pork and then we also have a mechanical bull coming in and an inflatable hockey shoot out game. And then we’re also going to have a margarita bar, and two or three other bars serving beer and liquor,” she said.
They’re also planning a barbeque later this year for the community to meet the players and the parents. Last year they did a clothing drive in December where people who came out to a specific Applejacks game brought hats and mitts which were later donated. They’ll be doing that again this year.
They have 500 tickets for sale for Jacks ‘N Spurs and are hoping to sell out. They’re available for purchase in advance through Ashley Gerber, the team’s executive and coaching staff or at the door. Players and coaches will be on hand at the event as well.
“It’s going to be probably the biggest event of the year, it’s going to be a lot of fun. This is huge for Wellesley and the Applejacks.”
The event runs Sept. 9 from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the Wellesley Arena. You must be 19 or older to attend. Tickets are $20 per person.
The Applejacks also have their main training camp Aug. 20 and Aug. 21.
They’ll play two preseason home games at the end of the month on Aug. 25 versus the Mitchell Hawks and Aug. 27 against the Mount Forest Patriots. Game time is 7:30 p.m. for both and they’ll be played at the St. Clements Community Centre, since the ice won’t be put into the Wellesley Arena until after the Wellesley Apple Butter and Cheese Festival.