EVANSTON — According to Renewal Ball board member Kimberly Chapman, Evanston has the longest lasting fundraiser in Wyoming, celebrating the Annual Renewal Ball for 35 years, hosted by the Evanston Urban Renewal Agency.

This special gala event included dinner catered by Kumbayah Kitchens, a full bar provided by Kate’s Katering, both a live and silent auction of quality items — including a puppy — music from DJ Kevin Kallas and dancing. 

The ball has raised a lot of money over the years, with the first year in 1983 bringing in $6,000. That number has increased greatly over the years, last year bringing in $70,000. At this current time, numbers are still being calculated to find out what they made from this year’s Ball Renewal.

Evanston’s Urban Renewal coordinator and Main Street manager Jane Law said whatever amount they do end up raising from this year’s event will be more than the organization had the day before.

“It was a success, people enjoyed the evening, new people attended, got some new volunteers; it was all good,” Law said.  

Funds from the event have gone and continue to go toward the revitalization of the historic business district and Depot Square, currently stabilizing some unfinished parts of the Evanston Roundhouse and Railyards Complex.

Social hour started the event on Saturday night, while participants got to peruse the silent auction and write in their bids. Buffet tables were covered with salmon, shrimp, crab, pork loin, flank steak and many appetizers and desserts.

Following dinner, the board of directors thanked the many volunteers, including those who have passed. They mentioned the work on the Roundhouse coming together, and the success of the event in years passed. 

Many businesses and members of the community attended the event. Because it was on the same date as EHS’s graduation, the turnout wasn’t quite as high as other years, but still a success. 

The theme of this year’s Renewal Ball was “Thanks for the Memories… Here’s to the Next 35 Years!”