Buck Shaffer Spectacular will benefit two local organizations

Imagine Community Arts Center and VADS will benefit

Over the summer the City of Hope Spectacular became the Buck Shaffer Spectacular and now organizers will give the proceeds to local organizations.

Richard Eckhoff, producer of the show the past 28 years, announced earlier this week that the 2018 show will be a fundraiser for two local organizations — Imagine Community Arts Center and Valley Adult Day Services.

“Buck Shaffer believed in and devoted himself to the local community,” Eckhoff said. “Buck devoted his life to using the arts to give youth a head-start in life. Imagine blends youth and art, ‘Painting and making friends since 2010.’”

Valley Adult Day Services’ mission is to enrich the lives of elderly and disabled adults, their families, caregivers and communities through adult day programs, an eldercare resource center and continuing supportive services for caregivers, in order to prevent premature long-term placement.

Shaffer was the longtime Porterville High School band director, who started the show in 1963 and directed and produced it for 44 consecutive years. It was begun as a fundraiser for the City of Hope, a hospital in Durate.

Next year’s show on Feb. 24, will have the theme “It’s a Disney World.” Auditions will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 23. Audition applications will be available at the Chamber of Commerce, after Jan. 1, or can be requested online by Eckhoff at buckspectacular@ocsnet.net, or call him at 784-4213.

The Spectacular has featured the finest twirlers, dancers, singers and instrumentalists in southeast Tulare County.

Many past performers on the Spectacular have gone on to rewarding careers in the performing arts.

Acts have included everything from dancers, singers and instrumentalists to magicians,

rope jumpers and giant snakes.

Jerry Hall and Trickshot have opened for the Spectacular every year for over 25 years and the PHS studio band has performed at all 52 Spectaculars.