Proceeds from a $100-a-plate dinner Wednesday night will go toward continuing beautification projects at the historic Utah State Fairpark and upgrading and partially covering of the fairgrounds' equestrian area.
The Utah Beef Council, headed by Gary Rose, provided sirloin steaks for the dinner, sponsored by the Utah State Fair Foundation and attended by about 250 people at the Fairpark, where the fair officially opened Thursday afternoon for an 11-day run.Although figures weren't available late Wednesday, foundation president Sidney G. Baucom said he hoped at least $50,000 would be raised at the dinner, where those who attended wore blue-ribbon name tags, and tables were decorated with flowers, bags of popcorn and bottled fruit.
Lee Ence, a co-chairwoman with Barbara Layden for the dinner and social, said the goal was (and will continue to be) to raise funds to "enhance the beautiful facilities at the State Fair, which is clean and family-oriented."
The Wednesday evening meal included salad, rolls, baked potatoes, corn on the cob, baked beans, fruit and carmel apples and watermelon, catered by Western Foods, fair concessionaire. At least $300 was raised during an auction with KALL Radio personality Mike Runge as master of ceremonies and entertainment provided by yo-yo champion Dale Myrberg and the "Cow Daddies," a vocal and instrumental group.
The dinner group was awed by Myrberg's skill as he spun a coin off the ear of Gov. Norm Bangerter and Utah Jazz president Frank Layden. Myrberg, a native Utahn who has performed on the Smothers Brothers TV show and who will perform at the fair Thursday night, also performed a number of other tricks with yo-yos and paddle balls.
Items auctioned by Runge, announcer for the Golden Eagles and at University of Utah football and basketball games, included a Teletext, contributed by KSL-TV; a framed set of Super Bowl commemorative pins and a gas grill contributed by Coca Cola.
Many collectibles from the Hotel Utah were sold at a silent auction or during the dinner. The items included several large Strasborg crystal chandeliers, beautiful oak-framed mirrors and bound 9-by-12-foot rugs. Also sold were limited-edition prints of the State Fair poster by Western artist Joe Venus and sculpture by Rick Prazen, a local artist.
Vickie Nelson, who along with Kathie Thayne helped plan the dinner and program, said many other chandeliers, mirrors and other items contributed to the foundation will be available for sale to the public after Oct. 1. Interested people may contact the fair office, 155 N. 1000 West, telephone 538-8473 or 538-8440.