Bachelor auction raises $12,000 for local causes

TALKEETNA — The annual Wilderness Woman Competition and Bachelor Auction raised $12,000 this year, easily surpassing the money raised during last year’s event.

Jill Hodges won this year’s contest, and in two weeks, the Talkeetna Bachelor Society will meet to determine where to dispurse the funds, according to the organization’s Web site.

This past weekned’s festival was the event’s 24th year.

During the first weekend in December, tough women and single men descend on this hamlet in the northern part of the Mat-Su Borough. For the women, it’s a chance to show off the skills they’ve gained living the Alaska life. For men, it’s their chance to put themselves on the auction block to raise money for a worthy cause.

The event typically attracts Alaskans and Outsiders, braving the cold temperatures to head north for one long party.

This year, organizer Loudon Wilason, who took over as the event’s manager two years ago, added a new event to shake the day up. The contest is billed as the Swen and Olie Cross-Country Ski Relay, but isn’t a typical race.

Wilson said teams first have to tell a joke at the staring line. Jokes will earn points depending on how good they are. Points can be subtracted for a bad joke, meaning being first across the finish line doesn’t necessarily mean a win.

“Herring and PBR [beer] will be rewarded to the winner,” Wilson said.

The Wilderness Woman Contest, a staple of the weekend, followed the ski race.

Competitors participate in a range of contests, from hauling water to chopping wood to riding a snowmachine — all the qualities an Alaska man is looking for in a woman, organizers joke.

As always, the culmination of the event is the Bachelor Auction and Ball.

Only single women age 21 or older, and members of the Talkeetna Bachelor Society, are permitted inside the auction room. This year the auction and ball took place in the Sheldon Community Arts Hangar.

Wilson said the space should provide more room for the crowds.

In his second year organizing the event, Wilson said the task is overwhelming, but rewarding.

For him, the contest and ball is more about the cause it supports than the entertainment.

“Last year we raised $9,600,” he said.

The money goes to a fund set up for the Sunshine Community Clinic to use for women and children in crisis. Adding to that fund every year is the real goal for Wilson.

“I take it very seriously as a fundraiser,” he said.

That claim is evident. When asked last week how large he expects the party to be this year — the event is often known as an hours-long bash — Wilson said he’s more concerned with how much money is raised.

Even with his serious take on a fun event, Wilson said it’s still one of the best community activities all year in the town.

“It’s fun getting everyone tied into one event like this.”

Contact Michael Rovito at michael.rovito@frontiersman.com or 352-2252.