By C.D. DESALVO
Hays Post

Smoky Hill Pheasants Forever Chapter 424 is having its 26th-annual banquet on Saturday, Feb. 24.

The event is open to the public and will feature games, raffles, prizes and auction items, and a chance to socialize with people who have similar interests.

“The purpose of the banquet is to raise funds that will stay here locally,” said member Shayne Wilson. “We want everybody to understand the money stays in the counties we handle, which are Ellis, Trego and Rush. Most of the money goes to our youth events, and we have a habitat program that people can apply for.”

Along with a smothered steak and ham dinner, socialization, and prizes, admission to the banquet includes a Pheasants Forever membership, which includes a one-year subscription to the Pheasants Forever Journal of Upland Conservation (five issues), and the opportunity to make a difference for habitat and conservation education locally.

Some of the auction items available at the banquet include: several firearms, a German short-haired pointer female puppy (4 weeks old), a football helmet and football signed by the Fort Hays State University football team and head coach Chris Brown, and a University of Kansas men’s basketball team autographed basketball.

The banquet will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday at the Gold Building at the Ellis County Fairgrounds.

Tickets are still available, but they usually go fast as the event gets closer. For more information on tickets, you can contact Shayne Wilson at 785-432-1904.