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TRACY -- The Tracy area community will be in the spotlight at an upcoming event -- and it will all be for a cause, said organizers of "Tracy's Got Talent." A variety show and silent auction will help raise funds to build a new community center in Tracy.
The show and auction will take place on Sunday at the Caboose in Tracy. Proceeds from the event will go to the Tracy Community Center Project Fund.
The idea for a local variety show was inspired by TV shows like "America's Got Talent," said Becky Averill, one of the event organizers. The unique part of the program is a lineup of performers from the Tracy area community.
"They all have some connection to Tracy," Averill said. Performers include graduates of Tracy High School, as well as people who live or work in the area, she said.
One high-profile performer in the variety show will be musician and composer Gary Rue. A Tracy alumnus, Rue was part of the bands P.J. and the Sleepers and the Sensational Sleepers in the 1960s. The quintet, which included Rue, Steve Thielges, Dennis Morgan, Mike Burt and Randy Drager, played at area ballrooms.
Organizers said the full lineup of acts performing at "Tracy's Got Talent" includes the group Carknees (featuring Tracy United Methodist pastor Miron Carney), Sam Obel, Allan Pierson, the Jim Christian family, Gavin and Kim VanMoer, Justin Lessman, the Sahlstrom family, and Jamie Leonard. Pat Kavanaugh will be the emcee.
In addition to the show and refreshments, there's also the auction.
"We've got a lot of wonderful donors for the silent auction," Charlene Lenertz said. Items up for auction include a Pit Boss gas grill, tickets to the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, gift certificates, quilts and a lot more.
Organizers said they wanted to thank the sponsors, donors and performers that are making the event possible. Karen Krog said the auction will even have a QR code that will allow people to pay for auction purchases with a credit card.
The goal of the community center project is to build a new gathering space in Tracy. So far, the project has had some good support from members of the public, and has received grant funding, Lenertz said.
"We've done a couple of tailgate parties at the school," as well as appearing at other community events, she said. "We try to stay visible."
Event organizers said a community center building could be a place for a wide range of events. Before the former Multi-Purpose Center in Tracy closed during the COVID pandemic, it was a site for everything from youth club meetings to Meals on Wheels, health and fitness classes, and special community events.
"It's not just the senior center, it's for the community," Krog said.
The doors for the variety show and silent auction will open at 1 p.m. with the show starting at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20, and are available at Minnwest Bank in Tracy, and at the door.