History Rocks promises 1920s glitz and glam for Gig Harbor fundraiser

The 15th annual History Rocks Dinner and Fundraiser returns to Gig Harbor on Oct. 1, bringing with it the adventure and romance of the Roaring 20s with this year’s theme, “Razzle, Dazzle, Gin & Jazz.”

This is the main philanthropic event of the Harbor History Museum and a demonstration of the vast community partnerships that support the organization, said Katharine Hensler, the museum’s executive director.

“We couldn’t do this without our volunteers. We couldn’t do it without our various community sponsors, businesses, individuals, board of directors and staff,” she said. “We’re going above and beyond in the wow factor this year.”

The event raises funds to support both the museum’s operational and programming needs, said Alphild Dick, the museum’s Marketing and Events coordinator.

“This is our major fundraising event for the year,” she said. “It has a long tradition of being the museum’s main fundraiser.”

With 400 guests expected, the event features a sit-down dinner and both live and silent auctions, all decked to the theme of the Roaring 20s.

“It’s going to be very much reminiscent of the 1920s,” Hensler said. “We’re blending a little bit of elegant Gatsby style with a little bit of rugged Prohibition style. It should be very glitzy.”

This year’s live auction items include a 10-foot replica of the museum’s Midway Schoolhouse, donated by Windermere Real Estate, a week-long vacation to the Hawaiian island of Kauai and a guided Dragon Boat ride on the Gig Harbor waterfront and dinner from Millville Pizza Co.

Silent auction items include a variety of themed packages — all put together by the History Rocks volunteer procurement team.

“We have a very creative procurement team,” Dick said. “We have a fantastic theme this year. I think people are really excited about it. There’s a lot of great buzz.”

This year the museum will also recognize Bill Sehmel, honorary chair for this year’s History Rocks event, for the contributions from him and his family to the museum over the years.

“He has just done so much for our organization and our community,” Hensler said.

Dinner at the event will be a plated, full service meal from Sunshine’s All Natural Catering, with the event’s signature beverage provided from Heritage Distilling Co. and beer from Pacific Brewing & Malting Co.

The event will be held at the Tacoma Narrows Aviation Hangar and, while guests are welcome to attend in their best 1920s finery, dressing in historical costumes is not required.

“We want people to come and enjoy themselves, and if adding a little bit of flair in your costume makes it more fun for you, then by all means,” Dick said.

This year, the museum has received a $20,000 matching pledge from the Erickson Family Charitable Foundation and another $2,500 matching pledge, further raising the fundraising potential of the event.

“We are so grateful to the support we’ve had from the community in preparing for this event,” Dick said. “Something like this is a big undertaking and we couldn’t do it without the help from the community or our volunteers.”

Tickets for the event remain available on the museum’s website at harborhistorymuseum.org.

This story was originally published September 22, 2016 at 10:16 AM with the headline "History Rocks promises 1920s glitz and glam for Gig Harbor fundraiser."