PLAINS – Tiki torches decorated the entrance and tropical décor filled the interior as the delicious smells of a pig roast filled the room.

This was the backdrop for the Plains High School softball team’s luau benefit to raise money for future seasons. The event also aimed to give back to the people in Plains that have supported the team throughout the year. 

In the evening of Friday, May 16, the Trotters and their supporters filled the Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall on Lynch Street for a luau themed evening, featuring an island style dinner, a dessert auction and a more traditional live auction. 

The spacious VFW hall was packed with attendees, filling the space from wall to wall. Rows of tables were set up to accommodate the guests and to give them ample space to enjoy their meal. 

The Plains softball girls transitioned from their normal duties on the diamond to ensuring the luau was a success.

Whether it was greeting visitors at the door, which had been appropriately decorated for the occasion, serving food to the hungry supporters or delivering auctioned off items to their new owners, the girls were all over the place. 

While the athletes kept busy out in the hall, parents and volunteers braved the heat in the kitchen, preparing the food for the event. Throughout the evening pork, chicken, corn and pasta salad were whisked from the kitchen area towards hungry attendees keeping the parents on their toes. 

“All the parents chipped in and helped make this work,” Jessica Peterson said, shortly after putting the finishing touches on a couple pies heading off to the auction block. 

Peterson, one of the parents charged with making sure the event ran smoothly, noted that some made desserts while others helped with the food for the luau. 

“We have the food you would normally get at a Hawaiian luau,” Peterson added. 

As the night wore on the dessert auction kicked off, a laughter-filled event where a wide variety of after dinner sweets were bided off. Everything from upside down cakes, to oreo infused desserts and a slew of apple pies, which were very popular, went off to attendees. 

There was some comical debate about which treats were homemade and which had been purchased from local grocers but everyone seemed to be happy with the after dinner meals they landed. 

The live auction that followed did not feature as many edible items but several prizes were up for grabs. 

Some of the items on the auction block included gift bags, decorations, signs, picture frames, soda, a globe and a camouflage-imprinted umbrella.  

Funds raised by the event go towards keeping the team on the field, covering uniforms and equipment. The benefit also goes towards covering the team’s travel expenses throughout the season.

The luau dinner offered a nice respite for the Trotters who recently completed their regular season. The Plains team had a successful campaign throughout the spring, winning 13 games while only losing five. 

Their record included an impressive winning streak that propelled the team into the playoffs. 

The Trotters will host a play-in game on Tuesday at 5 p.m., to determine if they advance to the divisional round playoffs to be held in Ronan later in the week.  

The total funds raised by the team were not available at the time of press.