WALLACE — Like many other groups hoping to host events this year, the Wallace Chamber of Commerce had to get creative with their primary fundraiser when the pandemic hit.

Wallace Chamber Coordinator Dave Copelan explains that in lieu of their normal auction in late-October/early-November, they've decided to hold a raffle instead.

"With COVID, it doesn't look like we can have a live auction," he said. "So we figured, 'let's have a raffle during our Center of the Universe party!"

The chamber is currently selling 400 chances to win a host of prizes, including the grand prize of a 2014 Ford Focus from Dave Smith Motors, Kelly Blue Book valued at $7,900.

Copelan explained in a press release that other prizes include hotel stays, Zipline tickets, Ski and Hiawatha packages, jewelry, e-bike rentals, drink and dining packages and more.

"You know it's tough for folks right now with COVID. Its really affected a lot of people and we're all scrambling, but really appreciate all the support we got — especially from Dave Smith Motors."

The drawing of the raffle will cap off Wallace’s annual re-dedication of the Center of the Universe Party set for Saturday, Sept. 19.

The party will be held at and around the Center of the Universe — the man-hole cover at the junction of Sixth and Bank streets in downtown Wallace. The annual celebration features a reading of the 2004 Proclamation, free copies of the proclamation, a command performance from the Wallace Elks Drum and Bugle Corps, a special appearance from the Last Stop Light on I-90 and a toast.

The drawing will immediately follow the festivities.

Last year, the event was covered by a camera crew and reporters for NBC. It aired on the network’s

Sunday "Today Show" in October.

“It will be a very, very Wallace type event.” Copelan said. “We will encourage participants to wear masks and maintain safe social distancing.”

Because of COVID restrictions, the raffle will be the only fundraising event the chamber will have in

2020.

Events and festivals planned in April, May, October and November would have generated upward of

$20,000 in chamber operational funds.

"Those events and festivals were all canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic," Copelan said. "This raffle will help offset some of those losses."

Tickets are available at downtown Wallace locations and at the Wallace Chamber offices for $25 a piece or five for $100.

Only 400 tickets will be sold and winners need not be present to win.

The Wallace Chamber office can be reached by phone at 208-753-7151 and is located at 10 River St., Wallace.