Royal regalia marks Turner Hall Gala
Ashlee Haugen attended in the Royal Gala in her best Marie Antoinette inspired gown.
Photos by Clay Schuldt Jeanne Kretsch models her new sapphire and diamond necklace.
Ashlee Haugen attended in the Royal Gala in her best Marie Antoinette inspired gown.
Photos by Clay Schuldt Jeanne Kretsch models her new sapphire and diamond necklace.
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NEW ULM -- It was a royal affair at Turner Hall's Gala Saturday.
The theme for the annual gala was royalty. Supporters and donors to the Turner Hall attended dressed as a king, queens, princes, princesses for a night of merriment a chance to support one of New Ulm's oldest institutes.
Turner Hall Executive Director Andrea Boettger said the gala is the largest fundraiser event of the year for Turner Hall. The fundraiser helps support ongoing needs for the building and capital projects. This year, the money raised will be used to make improvements to the roof.
Attendance at this year's gala was expected to be high after canceling last year's celebration due to COVID. Many Turner Hall regulars were eager to return to celebrate after missing a year.
Boettger confirmed it was a successful event. In addition to high attendance, the fundraising goals were met. The goal was to raise $50,000.
The live auction proved to be extremely dramatic. A bidding war for a sapphire and diamond necklace ended with Jeanne Kretsch taking home the valuable item for $11,250.
The auction also included a replica of a guitar used by Prince in "Purple Rain" film. The theme of the gala was royalty and few people in Minnesota have come close to royalty. To sell the guitar, a Prince impersonator carried the instrument through the crowds during the bidding process. The guitar went to Topher Jacobson for $500.
Through sponsorships, silent and live auctions; Turner Hall was able to reach the goal. Boettger said it was a record-breaking night.