The Talkeetna Bachelor Auction and Ball started in 1980 at the Fairview Inn as a way to pass the time during the long, cold winter -- and bring women to town. The event grew to become a charity fundraiser and the Talkeetna Bachelor Society has become a service organization. Women come from many communities to bid on their very own rural Alaska bachelor.
"We're off the grid here, an end-of-the-road type town. The ratio of men to women, not so good," says Evan Terstegge a 27-year-old Talkeetna bachelor. "This bachelor auction brings some fresh blood to Talkeetna. Brings some women up from Anchorage, Wasilla, from all over the state of Alaska." A number of women travel up from the Lower 48 as well. "The bachelor auction is world-known," says Terstegge.
Last year's event was a record breaker, raising more than $22,000 for charity. And this year was close behind, with 40 bachelors raising $20,420. The money gets divided between the Jessica Stevens Community Foundation and a grant program set up by the bachelor society to help people and organizations within the community.
Some $10,000 goes to the Talkeetna Bachelor Society fund for families in crisis. The Jessica Stevens Foundation and the Sunshine Community Health Center helps divvy out those funds. The rest goes to these organizations.
• Talkeetna Elementary got a total of $2,500, spread out over six programs.
• Su-Valley Jr/Sr High got $1,329, plus the continuation of a $1,000 college scholarship for a Su-Valley grad next year.
• Trapper Creek Elementary got $500 for sports equipment.
• Sunshine Day care : $300.
• Talkeetna Historical Society: $500.
• Green Light Circus: $1,000.
• Northern Susitna Institute: $500.
• Filling the Gap: $500.
• Upper Susitna Meals on Wheels: $400.
• Upper Su Food Pantry: $1050.
• KTNA: $400.
Terstegge, a lifelong Talkeetna resident, says the bachelor auction "was something I dreamed about doing since I was a kid growing up here -- I couldn't wait to turn 21. I always tell people I have to be married or dead to not attend. The Talkeetna bachelor party is by far the best party you'll ever go to."
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Can we add the list of organizations that the Talkeetna Bachelor Society decided to support with the funds raised from this years auction?
There is ten thousand dollars in the Talkeetna Bachelor Society fund for families in crisis. The Jessica Stevens Foundation and the Sunshine Community Health Center help divvy out those funds. Then the rest is going to these organizations in the community...
Talkeetna Elementary got a total of $2,500, spread out over six programs.
Su-Valley Jr/Sr High got $1,329, plus the continuation of a $1,000 college scholarship for a Su-Valley grad next year (recipient TBD)
Trapper Creek Elementary got $500 for sports equipment
Sunshine Day care : $300
Talkeetna Historical Society: $500
Green Light Circus: $1,000
Northern Susitna Institute: $500
Filling the Gap: $500
Upper Susitna Meals on Wheels: $400
Upper Su Food Pantry: $1050
KTNA: $400