HOUGHTON - Despite temperatures creeping into the 80s, hundreds of people turned out to support the Copper Country Humane Society at its annual Bash Saturday.
Just after noon, when the event began, parking was nearly full and people were already bidding on auction items including a "chocoholic" basket and other donated items.
Five-year-old Leah Motowski and her family just moved to Houghton and decided to attend the seventh annual Bash, held at the humane society on U.S. 41 near the Nara Nature Trails. Leah spun the prize wheel and when asked if she was having fun, she shyly responded, "Yes."
Indoors, sisters Erika and Madeline Peabody were playing with the cats who were perched on the cat tree. The sisters, who are from downstate Shelby Township, said they enjoy spending time at the humane society and even adopted cats from there.
"We come here a lot just to pet them and walk the dogs," Erika said.
Back outside, Teresa Woods of the humane society, who has been vital in planning this year's bash, said she was surprised to see so many people attend early and was confident the weather would stay nice.
"Setup went right according to plan," she said. "We have tents up."
The crew set up numerous tents to house the raffles, auctions, food, vendors and music, just in case it rained and to provide shade from the sun.
"We've had lots of volunteers show up," she said.
This year, the raffles included 26 baskets and the prize wheel, which offers a prize for every single spin, had more prizes this year than ever, she said. Prizes included gift certificates and chances for more spins, among other prizes.
"We have grab bags, too," she said.
Deborah Frontiera, with her book, "Living on Sisu," was one of the vendors featured at the Bash.
"She is giving us 20 percent of her sales today," Woods said.
Vendors also included Avon products and T-shirt sales. This year for the first time, the event offered tote bags and auction items included jewelry and quilts.
With the help of Facebook, the Bash was thrust into the limelight. Woods said knowing social media was a growing trend, they created a page which garnered 1,500 people and announced auction items through it.
"It was a really neat phenomenon," she said. "People were offering to give when they saw this on Facebook."
