If Andrew Wilson really had his way, the 72nd Annual Hopkinsville Rotary Auction theme would be: “Peyton Manning is the G.O.A.T., and So Are We.”
During that third week of April, there’d be orange-checkered tablecloths everywhere at War Memorial, as a respectful nod to the former Tennessee quarterback and NFL Hall-of-Famer.
Wilson, this year’s auction chair, went a different direction during Tuesday afternoon’s motif reveal — though still paid a subtle tribute to the signal-caller, while still honoring Rotary’s roots.
Set for April 18-23 from 6-9 p.m. each night and can be viewed on the Hopkinsville Rotary website, Wilson noted there were three pillars that made the long-storied Hopkinsville Rotary Auction what it is today:
One, it’s something to look up to:
Two, it’s something to look forward to:
And three, it’s something to chase:
While Hopkinsville’s Rotary Auction raised more than $397,000 last year, Wilson said he wouldn’t set a goal because “every dollar is a good dollar.”
But someone from the audience wasted little time, and chimed in: “Whatever Cadiz raises, plus a dollar,” in a playful jab at another successful auction in west Kentucky. Last year, Cadiz Rotary raised more than $317,000 in its efforts, and the two clubs often compete.
Hopkinsville Rotary experienced a strong auction last spring despite COVID-19 concerns, and Wilson noted the state’s guidance will once again be observed in 2022 — as Christian County and the rest of the state continue to climb out of the coronavirus pandemic.
A golf scramble that Monday, April 18, will once again help kickstart the week’s events, and Wilson said there are plans to expand on it, as well as the raffle, this year.
