Quail Unlimited banquet is set for March 4
By Brandy Nance
Originally published 02:28 p.m., February 26, 2008
Updated 02:28 p.m., February 26, 2008
The Emporia Area Quail Unlimited chapter will celebrate its silver anniversary at this year’s banquet on March 4.
The banquet, which is the organization’s major fundraiser for the year, will mark 25 years of wildlife conservation projects. Ron Whitney, chapter president, said there are a lot of new features this year for the 25th annual banquet.
Dinner will be an open buffet, Whitney said. In years past, dinner was a buffet restricted to a certain time. With the open buffet, people can come and go as they like for about an hour and a half.
“They can come and go and eat and play games,” Whitney said. “So it’s less formal.”
Casino games also will be offered. Whitney said this is a first for the Quail Unlimited banquet.
“We wanted to do something different for the 25th,” he said.
“All Kansas laws will be followed,” he added with a chuckle. “It’s for fun only. No cash involved.”
Kids games will be available as well. The laser shot game will be back, a game that was popular during last year’s banquet.
The auction will kick off at 8 p.m. This year’s auction will include a special Wayne Willis print to memorialize hunter Beau Arndt, who was killed on Dec. 15, 2007. All proceeds from the print will be donated to hunter education in Lyon County.
Also in the auction is a number of sporting clay shoots, a mountain quail hunt in Oregon, pheasant hunt in South Dakota, condo in Branson, a dove hunt in Texas, wildlife prints and other outdoor related items as well as local hunting packages.
Doors will open to the banquet at 5:30 p.m. The banquet will be at the Anderson Building at the Lyon County Fairgrounds. For tickets contact Thayne Cozart at (620) 279-4345. Advance tickets are $45, which includes the annual $30 Quail Unlimited membership and dinner. Spouse and children tickets and associate memberships are $20.