GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) – Gridley’s historic Veterans Memorial Hall echoed with revelry last Saturday night, as the 21st Annual Quota Tasting Event got underway.

Doors opened early evening, and upon arrival guests were entered into a drawing for door prizes to be announced later in the evening.

Patrons were provided with personal tasting glasses sponsored by Jones Flying Service. To avoid confusion, guests printed their names on the glasses and set off to sample a multitude of wines from local vineyards, ales, ciders and home-brewed root beers.

The Quota Tasting Event is one of two major fundraisers the local nonprofit club holds yearly. Proceeds from ticket sales, silent auctions and sponsorships go directly back into the club and to scholarship opportunities for local youth. These scholarships are awarded yearly and awarded to graduates from Gridley, Live Oak and Biggs High Schools with high GPAs.

Joann Hamman, Barbara Pooler and Brooke Martin-McDonald welcomed guests and handed out souvenir tasting glasses courtesy of Jones Flying Service. Photo by Seti Long

Saturday evening, the center of the hall was filled with huge tables stocked with silent auction items ranging from gorgeous floral arrangements, shining leather saddles, gift cards and baskets, with items ranging from low to high value. Attendees had two hours to explore the offerings and bid, circling back throughout the evening to see if they had been out bided by another.

In addition to the silent auction, a separate drawing was held for a grand prize eGO electric lawnmower, and another ticket drawing was held for a plethora of smaller baskets and gifts.

Meanwhile, tasting stations were set up along the peripheral aisle of the hall. Guests were invited to casually explore the venues offerings, either visiting each tasting station in succession or bouncing between them throughout the night. Grazing tables were spaced between every few tasting stations, allowing guests to clear their pallets with a variety of artisan cheeses, meats, crackers and spreads, along with fresh fruits.

One table was reserved for a buffet of desserts, chocolates and cookies.

Gridley Quota welcomes you to the 21st Annual Tasting Event! Photo by Seti Long

As some spirits were poured, others rose. The hall echoed with chatter, laughter and cheers, both from the Quota members that busily worked and the community that turned out to support the event.

At one point a loud clatter and clank rang through the air, as a lucky guest won a $200 bottle of wine at the “ring toss” station. Much like at a carnival, a pyramid of wine bottles was created and a $20 buy-in gave guests 7 rings to toss over the neck of the bottle they’d like to take home.

This years tasting event saw a change in the traditional date, being held on a Saturday evening instead of a   Thursday night as in the past. Feedback from guests at the event was positive about the date change, favoring Saturday due to ease of finding childcare for those with families, or simply not having work commitments the following morning.

Peggy Harshbarger and Lydia Vargas man the Wine-Ring Toss game. For $20.00 players would get 7 rings, and whatever bottle of wine the ring caught on, the player got to keep! Photo by Seti Long

Veterans Memorial Hall was packed.

Quota presided Maggie Hepworth agreed that the event had a strong turnout.

“The 21st Quota Tasting Event was a huge success. Our local business and community members were generous in their support of this event,” said a thankful Hepworth. “Quota members worked unitedly for long hours under the direction of Cindy Davis and Jan Meyer. I feel honored and blessed to work alongside this group of dedicated women.”

The night concluded with the ladies of Quota busily determining the winners of countless auction items and raffles, sending guests home with more than just smiles.

Guests sipped and grazed throughout the evening, taking advantage of gorgeous spreads of finger foods and alcoholic/non-alcoholic beverages. Photo by Seti Long