The 30th annual Glenn-Colusa Cattlemen’s and Cattlewomen’s dinner at the Colusa County Fairgrounds on Saturday was a true holiday topper.
Over 400 people attended the milestone event, which raises money each year to award scholarships to college students from Glenn and Colusa counties.
The Holiday Topper dinner first started in 1992 under the leadership of Lady Bug Doherty, of Maxwell, and the late Heddy LaGrande, of Williams, both westside cattle ranchers and members of the Glenn-Colusa Cattlewomen’s Association and California CattleWomen’s/Cattlemen’s Association, a nonprofit organization that has represented California’s ranchers and beef producers in legislative and regulatory affairs for more than 100 years.
Since 1994, Glenn-Colusa Cattlemen’s Association member David Forster, of Colusa, and Cattlewoman’s Association member Kara Alvernaz, of Williams, have chaired the annual dinner and dance into the successful event it remains today.
“This is the 28th year Kara and I have been doing it together and it’s a wonderful event,” Forster said. “Both Glenn and Colusa counties participate in it.”
The money raised at the Holiday Topper event provides $1,000 scholarships to Glenn and Colusa County students in their junior and senior years of college, who are pursuing higher education in predominantly agriculture-related fields, or are in a master’s program.
Three years ago, the two Glenn-Colusa cattle associations began giving away $1,000 scholarships for students attending technical colleges to learn a trade, such as welding.
“That has become a very successful program that we really feel good about,” Forster said.
Dave Reaume’s Cow Camp Grill, which has cooked for the event for three decades, was back at the carving stations after the 2021 event was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“They are the reason everybody comes back for their prime rib,” Forster said.
This year, the Holiday Topper introduced its first dessert silent auction, which offered a variety of after-dinner cakes, cookies, and pies that were donated by members of the community.
The grand raffle prize, donated by the Stegall family, was a half of beef, cut and wrapped.
The FBR band, which has performed for the event the past 20 years, provided the music.
Forster said the event would not be possible without the support from residents of Colusa and Glenn counties. ■