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The annual Turkey Bingo fundraiser will not return to the Solvang Veterans Memorial Hall this year due to COVID-19 restrictions against social gatherings, however there will still be turkeys available for purchase which will go to support Solvang Arts and Music (SAM), the after-school program at Solvang Elementary School.

“We are super sad we cannot hold this event this year, but thankful for the opportunity to still provide turkeys from El Rancho at a low cost which will help support our after-school programs,” said Jody Williams, of SAM. 

Williams said the turkeys will be $25 and also this year people can add a holiday pie from Valley Fresh for an additional $10 in form of a voucher. Then people may redeem the voucher at Valley Fresh between Nov. 19 and 25. 

All proceeds go to pay for music/art and drama teacher’s salaries, instruments, and art supplies at Solvang School.

The event was operated for more than 30 years by the Alpha Pi Sorority, which in recent years handed it off to the Solvang Arts and Music Foundation (SAM) and the Solvang School Parent Teacher Organization (PTO).

The event was begun in 1913 by the Hejls Minde 23 Chapter of the Danish Society of Dania of California and Nevada. The wives of the Dania men started the Danish Ladies Society, Dannebrog of Dania, and took over the event in 1937. The Alpha Pi sorority then took over in the late 1980s.

There are no more live turkeys, as there were in the days at Dania Hall, which stood on the site of the current Petro’s Cafe in Solvang. But hundreds of people still flock to the event in hopes of winning a frozen bird for Thanksgiving dinner.

Pick-up will be at Solvang School’s Lower Campus Gym  from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 19, or arrange for same day delivery to Solvang, Buellton, Santa Ynez, Los Olivos and Ballard.

For delivery or any other questions, or if you would like to pay by cash or check contact Carola Hecker 805-878-8860.

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The annual Turkey Bingo fundraiser returns to the Solvang Veterans Memorial Hall on Saturday, Nov. 17, with doors opening at 5 p.m. and bingo starting at 6 p.m.

The event was operated for more than 30 years by the Alpha Pi Sorority, which in recent years handed it off to the Solvang Arts and Music Foundation (SAM) and the Solvang School Parent Teacher Organization (PTO).

Though Turkey Bingo hasn’t changed much since its inception, there have been some changes — such as no more live turkeys for prizes. And instead of a dime per game, the price is now a flat rate for all 60 games.

“The flat-rate pricing change went better than expected, and we are so thankful to host this community-wide event again this year,” said PTO President Victoria Martinez.

The event was begun in 1913 by the Hejls Minde 23 Chapter of the Danish Society of Dania of California and Nevada. The wives of the Dania men started the Danish Ladies Society, Dannebrog of Dania, and took over the event in 1937. The Alpha Pi sorority then took over in the late 1980s.

There are no more live turkeys, as there were in the days at Dania Hall, which stood on the site of the current Petro’s Cafe in Solvang. But hundreds of people still flock to the event in hopes of winning a frozen bird for Thanksgiving dinner.

First cards will cost $10 for adults and $6 for children 13 and under for all 60 games. Additional cards will cost $5. Extra cards can be purchased throughout the event and can still be swapped for another as players desire, but admission into the event will require the purchase of a first card. Seat-saving will also be strictly prohibited.

SAM and PTO will also hold a raffle throughout the event with prizes focused on food and family fun for the holidays.

Food will be available for purchase, and those attending are once again being asked not to bring alcohol to the family event.

Turkey Bingo will begin at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17, with doors opening at 5 p.m., at the Solvang Veterans Memorial Hall. For questions or to donate an item for the raffle, email solvangpto@gmail.com.

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The competition was fierce to win one of 60 turkeys at the annual Turkey Bingo event on Saturday, Nov. 17. For half an hour before the doors opened, several hundred people waited patiently outside the Solvang Veterans Memorial Hall to secure a seat.

Once seated, people spread multiple Bingo cards around them, and emcee Frank Kelsey drew the bingo balls and announced the numbers.

Solvang Elementary School student Campbell McClurg was busy selling pizza during the annual Turkey Bingo event on Nov. 17.

This year’s event was turned over to the Solvang School Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) and the Solvang Arts and Music (SAM) Foundation by the Alpha Pi sorority that had organized it for the past 30 years.

The biggest change for participants was the shift from 10 cents per bingo card to a flat rate for the evening. SAM and PTO also held a raffle throughout the event with prizes focused on food and family fun for the holidays.

“I know that people have been talking about the change from using dimes to the flat rate, but regardless of the organization taking over it would have changed anyways. The point is, the tradition continues and we all get to have a good time with our family and friends,” Kelsey told the audience, who applauded.

“Our committee was amazed by the turnout and the willingness of so many members of the community to embrace the changes we made to Turkey Bingo this year,” said Victoria Martinez, president of the Solvang School Parent Teacher Organization (PTO).

“We are happy to find an organization that will continue the tradition of over 100 years of Turkey Bingo,” said Alpha Pi President Pam Johnsen. “We are happy to ‘pass it on,’ as it was to us.”

The event was begun in 1913 by the Hejls Minde 23 Chapter of the Danish Society of Dania of California and Nevada. The wives of the Dania men started the Danish Ladies Society, Dannebrog of Dania, and took over the event in 1937. The Alpha Pi sorority then took over in the late 1980s.

The post New groups carry on Turkey Bingo tradition appeared first on Santa Ynez Valley Star.

Katie Pearson has been playing Turkey Bingo since she was a little girl, and now her husband Justin and her daughter Stella, 5, are happy to be a part of the annual tradition at the Solvang Veterans Memorial Hall.

“I love that my daughter will grow up playing as I did — and I’ve never won yet, but I am always hopeful,” Pearson laughed.

The Vets Hall was packed with hundreds of people who waited in line to get in and take their seats in hopes of winning the 60 available turkeys.

Turkey Bingo has been around in the Santa Ynez Valley for more than 100 years, and this year’s event was held on Saturday, Nov. 18. (The prizes are frozen, not live, as they were in the beginning.)

Turkey Bingo hasn’t changed much since the beginning. It still costs just a dime to play a game, although the turkeys are bought frozen from El Rancho Marketplace. The final turkey won during the event also comes with a basket full of Thanksgiving goodies.

The event was begun in 1913 by the Hejls Minde 23 chapter of the Danish Society of Dania of California and Nevada. The wives of the Dania men started the Danish Ladies Society, Dannebrog of Dania, and took over the event in 1937. The Alpha Pi sorority then took over in the late 1980s and has run the event since.

In the days when live turkeys were awarded as prizes, “we would take the turkey home and hang it from the laundry line until dad could take care of it, in other words,” said Kathy Kelsey of Alpha Pi.

There are no more live turkeys, as there were in the days at Dania Hall, which stood on the site of the current Petro’s Cafe in Solvang. But hundreds of people still flock to the event in hopes of winning a frozen bird for Thanksgiving dinner.

“This is our first time coming and I am surprised at how many people showed up. We will definitely be back,” said Jody Williams of Solvang.

“As long as we can keep it 10 cents we will. We want anyone to be able to come and play no matter what their situation in life might be,” Kelsey said.

There were also other prizes to win, including gift baskets and certificates to local shops. Snacks and dinner were served by local organizations.

For more information, including ways to contribute to next year’s event, call Kelsey at 688-5804 or Shirley Hernandez at 688-4607.

The post Turkey Bingo brings generations of families together appeared first on Santa Ynez Valley Star.

Turkey Bingo has been a long-time holiday tradition in the Santa Ynez Valley, and this year the family event will begin at 6 p.m. (with doors opening at 5 p.m.) on Saturday, Nov. 18, at the Solvang Veterans Memorial Hall.

The event was begun in 1913 by the Hejls Minde 23 chapter of the Danish Society of Dania of California and Nevada. The wives of the Dania men started the Danish Ladies Society, Dannebrog of Dania, and took over the event in 1937. The Alpha Pi sorority then took over in the late 1980s and has run the event since.

In the days when live turkeys were awarded as prizes, “we would take the turkey home and hang it from the laundry line until dad could take care of it, in other words,” said Kathy Kelsey of Alpha Pi.

There are no more live turkeys, as there were in the days at Dania Hall, which stood on the site of the current Petro’s Cafe in Solvang. But hundreds of people still flock to the event in hopes of winning a frozen bird for Thanksgiving dinner.

“My mom was in the Danish Ladies and we loved helping out at the event. It’s always just been a fun family event,” Kelsey said.

Turkey Bingo hasn’t changed much since the beginning. It still costs just a dime to play a game, although the turkeys are bought from El Rancho Marketplace in Solvang. Up for grabs this year will be 60 turkeys, and the last turkey won will also come with a basket full of Thanksgiving goodies.

“As long as we can keep it 10 cents we will. We want anyone to be able to come and play no matter what their situation in life might be,” Kelsey said.

There will also be other prizes to win, including gift baskets and certificates to local shops. Snacks and dinner are served by local organizations, and the menu changes each year.

The women of Alpha Pi also ask that people not bring alcohol to the family event. They also ask people to contact them first if they want to donate something for the raffle or contribute to the event.

Call Kelsey at 688-5804 or Shirley Hernandez at 688-4607.

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