The dancing and music are over. The great food disappeared, the Pink Lady jackets and dancing dresses are back in the closets, the Brylcreem and Vitalis are put away and the bean counters are still counting the beans.
But in counting those preliminary beans, it appears that the Rotary Club of Farragut (RCF) last Friday, at its first-ever ‘50s Sock Hop & Cork Pop Wine Tasting, raised approximately $31,000 to help fund the projects and the non-profit organizations in our community that the club supports.
Sock Hop organizers Jerry Schwallier and Scott Brockamp
This is the most money the club has ever raised in its 42-year history at a one-night/event fundraiser, according to RCF president Megan Belcher.
“The Sock Hop on Friday night was a tremendous success. We are still waiting for the final total but this promises to be our most profitable fundraiser ever,” Belcher said. “I am so appreciative of the efforts that made the event such a success! At one point we had three generations out on the dance floor. A good time was had by all! I love our club and I can’t think of a better way to have spent a Friday night!!”
The Sock Hop dance contest was won by Belcher and Steve Krempasky, the club’s treasurer.
The event, attended by around 100, was held at the new Town of Farragut Community Center. Two RCF members – Scott Brockamp and Jerry Schwallier – organized the big party and did a wonderful job. Our successful live and silent auctions were directed by Rotarians Teri Jo Fox and Julie Blaylock.
And when you have a sock hop you need a band … and we had a great band!!! A very talented group of young and upcoming entertainers, musicians and singers, from the School of Rock Knoxville sang, played and kept the beat going for almost two hours. The School of Rock offers lessons from expert instructors. As part of the curriculum, students regularly take the stage to perform live at great local venues like the Tennessee and Bijou theaters. If you are interested in learning more about this school, here is a LINK to the its website.
The catered dinner – complete with decorations – was presented by Trisha Kelly and her “Classy Caterer” staff and it was absolutely delicious.
“Thank you to everyone who supported this event and a special thanks to all who attended! We had a fantastic turnout with great food, good wine and The School of Rock kids were absolutely amazing,” said Brockamp, the club’s fundraising co-chair.
Tom King has been the editor of newspapers in Texas and California and also worked in Tennessee and Georgia and is a past president of the Rotary Club of Farragut. If you want more information about Rotary, please email Tom.