When something has been successful for 30 consecutive years it becomes something of an institution in a community and it is hard to make changes for an annual event.

However, the Quitman Pilot Club decided to give up its annual fundraising luncheon after 30 successful years and planned a new kind of fundraiser this year. On Saturday, Nov. 12, the Carroll Greene Civic Center in Quitman was the site of the club’s first ever Fiesta Extravaganza Feliz Navidad, and from all outward appearances it was a resounding success.

The Quitman Pilot Club depends on funds from their annual fundraising event to support its stated mission of providing education for traumatic brain injury, prevention and offering services to those suffering from brain related disorders such as Alzheimer’s, stroke and autism. Just a few of these efforts include bicycle safety, Project Lifesaver and Special Olympics.

Over 200 revelers made their way to the event in Quitman for cocktails, chips and salsa. During a cocktail hour starting at 6 p.m., and throughout the evening, patrons could visit Senora Sherri’s Mercado to shop for artisan-crafted items, Christmas décor and even gift items. Also, doing business all evening was La Pasteleia, selling homemade baked goods and homemade salsa. In addition, there was a photo booth where folks could take selfies and purchase photographs.

A bountiful buffet of beef and chicken fajitas, tacos, rice, beans, lettuce, tomatoes, guacamole, flour tortillas and fresh pico de gallo provided a delightful dinner menu. And, for those with a sweet tooth, every seat in the house was provided with a homemade pecan praline, also known in many quarters as Mexican Candy.

Entertainment for the evening was provided by Quitman’s own Terry “Caz” Casburn and Frank Martin Gilligan, a former member of the southern rock tinged 1980s country band, Mason Dixon. This duo, accompanied by a keyboard, picked and sang throughout the dinner and for almost another hour to the delight of the full house in attendance. Not listed as an entertainer, but as master of ceremonies, Sam Scroggins added to the festivities as he wandered around visiting and joking while dressed in a matador jacket, cape and hat to go with his blue jean shorts and tennis shoes.

Two prize-filled piñatas were given away by the Pilot Club as door prizes and there were drawings for big prize packages in seven bucket raffles. The prize packages included lots of interesting items for the winners, such as four Disneyland Anaheim California one-day park hopper tickets, $500 worth of assorted gift cards galore from Amazon, Cheesecake Factory, Walmart and others. Value of the seven-bucket raffle prizes ranged from a low of $200 to a high of $626.