By Kevin J. Sabo
For the Advance
There was laughter aplenty in the Halkirk Community Hall on Feb. 8th for the ninth annual Halkirk Elks Alaskan Seafood Supper & Comedy Night.
The Halkirk Elks have been running the event in the community for nearly a deacade to “bring something different” into the community as well as serve as one of the group’s major fundraisers of the year, according to Halkirk Elks member Doreen Blumhagen.
“It’s a good fundraiser for us,” said Blumhagen.
“It helps us put money back into the community and provides entertainment.”
A significant amount of money that goes back into the community is raised by the Halkirk Elks through their various community events.
The long-running comedy night is just one of the many events the Elks put on each year. Other events include the annual Breakfast with Santa in December, the Oyster Fry in the fall, and the Bullarama in the summer.
In the last year the Elks have donated around $12,000 into the communities surrounding Halkirk. The Halkirk Community Hall has been a major beneficiary, however the The Valley Ski Hill in Alliance, the Stettler Hospice Society, STARS, Paintearth Adult Learning, and the Elks and Royal Purple Charity for Children have all had money donated to them over the last year.
Not content with just fundraising for local charities, the Elks also look for ways to support the local community, such as by buying local for these types of events, and either doing the work themselves or partnering with local caterers.
It’s also about “bringing entertainment into the community so people don’t have to go elsewhere to find it,” said Blumhagen.
The Halkirk Elks Alaskan Seafood & Comedy Night was started by Elks and their family members, and has grown to the regular and popular event it is today.
The Elks pick the entertainment for the show with the help of an entertainment agent, and they never have the same show twice. In addition to the stand-up comedians, in years past the show has also hosted ventriloquists and puppeteers.
Entertainment for the 2020 edition of the Seafood & Comedy Night was provided by Albertan Comedian Paul Sveen.
The Halkirk Elks have several more events planned for community entertainment in 2020, so stay tuned for details.
