GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - The Union Preparatory Schools' fifth "Wild Karoo" culminated on Friday evening, 14 September, in a magical evening beneath the Karoo's star washed sky.

The gala function's guests were led by lantern to the back fields of the school where they found a tented wonderland glittering with fairy lights and beautifully decorated to the nth degree.

The detailed original handcrafted table and wall decorations, tastefully adorned tables, well equipped bar area, trendy gin bar, classic soft furnishings, creative display of art and social boma fires set the scene for a most enjoyable and spectacular event. Guests were treated to a feast for both the eyes and palate. A seemingly endless menu of delicious canapes and gorgeous treats were elegantly served and beautifully plated. To start, enticing harvest tables offered an assortment of artisan breads, giant pretzels, pates, preserves and antipasto platters.

The smorgasbord of food served during the evening included Thai beef salad, butternut and feta cigars, roti chicken, shank springrolls, risotto balls, phyllo veg cups, brushetta roasted mushroom, blini blue cheese beef fillet, bobotie spinnakopita, steamed pork steamed bun bao and potatoe parmesa garlic. The cherry on top was a masterpiece dessert table which offered an abundance of gorgeously displayed assorted sweets, pastries and treats.

A highlight of the evening was a live auction superbly conducted by the dynamic auctioneer Duncan McLaggan.

A collection of nine lots went under the hammer and the air was thick with excitement and tension as bidders challenged each other to get their lot.

With thanks to the generosity of the sponsors a large variety of awesome lucky draw prizes were also given away. The art exhibition was another highlight of the Wild Karoo event. The exhibition showcased work by a formidable selection of artists and offered a collection of quality pieces in a variety of medium's and styles. This platform provided a unique opportunity for participating artists to market their work and introduced art buyers to a new collection of work. Once the formal proceedings had come to an end the fire-dancers wowed guests with their impressive performances and dance floor was opened.

The Wild Karoo online auction, which closed at 21:00 on the same evening, was an enormous success. In utilising StockFair's online auction technology, Union Preparatory School was able to extend the auction nationally, and even internationally, spreading their reach in terms of fundraising and contributing towards the promotion of tourism in our district. The auction report can be viewed at www.wildkaroo.co.za.

"The Wild Karoo" is a unique fundraising event for Union Preparatory School, under the auspices of The Union Schools Trust, and the school would like to extend its gratitude to all the contributors, sponsors, parents and staff who had a hand in making this fundraising initiative a success.

Although calculations have not been finalised, the UPS fundraising committee are pleased to announce that the targeted amount has certainly been superseded and are truly humbled by the overwhelming support and generosity.

The detailed original handcrafted table and wall decorations, tastefully adorned tables, well equipped bar area, trendy gin bar, classic soft furnishings, creative display of art and social boma fires set the scene for a most enjoyable and spectacular event.

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