By Chris Fitzgerald, KP News

At the September Civic Center board meeting, Flavor of Fall co-chairwoman Claudia Loy reported that 21 of 25 tables were spoken for with paid reservations. At news deadline a few days later, all seats were filled for this peninsula extravaganza’s return after a four-year hiatus.

Organizers Claudia Loy, Britta Brones and Anna Brones show off some of the decorations volunteers have been creating for the gala. Photo by Chris Fitzgerald

Loy and her team work on details of the function all summer. Had Two Waters Arts Alliance not initially approached her with bringing the event back, it would not have happened, she said. Four years bring change to the Flavor of Fall, although one primary part of the evening harks back to the first event in 1988: The menu will replicate that first effort, with chanterelle tortes, Cornish game hens, wild rice, and fall vegetables. “It was very exotic back then,” Loy said with a laugh, adding that such a menu is still “above and beyond” most fare at KP functions.

Longtime gala supporters will be greeted by a nice surprise — a newly renovated front entrance. Crews have been working for the past few months to expand and enhance the front porch, and were trying to finish in time for the event.

This Oct. 6 event marks a “first walk into sponsorship,” Loy said. Franciscan Health System has contributed truffle desserts for the affair, a gift equal to a $400 donation. Loy expects to explore more sponsorship opportunities for future events hosted by the Civic Center. Catering the semi-formal affair will be Ty Shaver, chef at Madrona Links Golf Course in Gig Harbor. Britta Brones said the event is semi-formal. “This is a nonjeans and cowboy hat affair,” she said.

The auction will be streamlined through use of a new computer program that tracks bid sheets, assigns paddle numbers, receipts, etc. Although the silent auction takes place throughout the evening, the live auction begins at 8 p.m. Loy and Brones said individuals who do not attend the dinner may attend the auction. A nohost bar will be available all evening, and additional seating will be set up in the balcony for late-arriving guests. All auction participants receive a numbered paddle and auction catalog when they arrive.

Brones and Loy stressed that “even if you are not here (that evening), you can still contribute.” They said halfway through the live auction, estimated to last about one and a half hour, a Powerpoint computer presentation will be shown, illustrating the community contribution of the Civic Center and Two Waters Arts Alliance.

The purpose of the Flavor of Fall is to raise funds for stage renovation, curtains, and lighting for theatrical productions under the auspices of Two Waters. The volunteer team hopes to exceed what was raised at the last Flavor of Fall four years ago, which was $30,000. “We will be building on this program,” Loy said, adding that donations beyond the event would be needed to transform the Civic Center into the facility envisioned by these hard-working volunteers.