Anyone who has ever thrown a party knows it takes a lot of hard work. Anyone who has ever thrown a party for 500 guests knows it also takes a lot of help from dedicated people.
The Rotary Club of Burnaby Metrotown and the Burnaby Rotaract Club’s Wine and Food Fest is the premier fundraiser for the organization, and as such it needs to be successful, according to Antonia Beck, chair of the event.
“Rotary is made up of community and business leaders that want to do good work and make a difference in the community, and so we do this as volunteers,” she said. “The wine and food festival takes an incredible effort to put on.”
The 20 club members all have roles, she said, adding her expertise is as an organizer and delegator.
“It takes an incredible amount of hours on everybody’s part. Somebody is getting the wineries on board, somebody is getting the breweries on board, somebody else is taking on the silent auction, somebody else is connected with the jazz band,” Beck explained.
What works so well, according to Beck, is that she can count on everyone to do their part.
“We’re pretty organized when it comes to putting on the event,” she said. “What I find really refreshing is everyone does step up.”
And it isn’t just Rotary members who are supporting the event – Tourism Burnaby has partnered with the event and is helping to promote it, Canadian Linen is supplying the linens, and the City of Burnaby has donated printing services and is blocking off Beresford Street for parking for the event.
Restaurants and caterers, including Earl’s, Shay Kelly, Mysala Foods, and the Burnaby Firefighters Banquet Hall and Catering, will be providing tastes at the event, and Save-On-Foods is supplying the desserts. Wine merchants and craft brewers will be offering wine and beer tastes as well.
Urbana, a jazz band, will be providing the music.
There will be many draws, including a grand prize draw for the main raffle, as well as a silent auction.
“Our hope is that will generate $4,000 to $5,000,” Beck said of the auction, adding club members are currently searching for items.
“It’s really about making as much money as we can in that two-and-a-half hours because this is the major fundraiser for us, and what we can do in the community is directly connected to how much we raise at this event,” she said.
All of the profits from the event go to the Rotary Club’s local and international charity efforts.
Rotary Coats for Kids is one of the main local initiatives supported by the club, and they are also involved in a literacy initiative with Maywood Community School, as well as some international efforts.
Despite all the hard work and organization required for the event, Beck is confident it will all work out.
“It’s quite amazing how it will all come together and it will be a fantastic evening,” she said.”
The Wine and Food Fest takes place at the Nikkei National Museum and Cultural Centre on May 5. Tickets are available at
