BP Cancer Group features old favorites, new ideas

If ever there were a reason to spend $10 on a cupcake, the Blooming Prairie Cancer Group has provided it: a diamond, tucked inside.

It’s part of the group’s annual fundraiser, which over the course of 21 years has raised more than $1 million. The money goes toward cancer research as well as to help local residents who are dealing with the disease.

“Paint the Town Pink” began in earnest on Sunday, when more than 250 flags were placed in the field at the intersection of U.S. Highway 218 and Main Street. While the majority are pink, the Field of Flags represents several “awareness” colors.

Each flag is in honor of – or in memory of – someone who has battled cancer and sponsored for $10.

“It is such a beautiful sight,” said Cheri Krejci, treasurer of the group and a cancer survivor.

This year’s new T-shirt design will make its debut at the Blooming Prairie High School “pink-out” football game on Friday.

BPHS senior players will wear pink jerseys. An additional jersey will be signed by the entire 2023 football team, then auctioned off on Sept. 8, the first of two nights of auctions.

The BPHS volleyball team will have a “Pink Night” on Tuesday. The T-shirts will be available that night, as well as at the Sept. 9 BPHS football game.

Gun bingo and raffle will be Sept. 7 under the big top tent near the Blooming Prairie Cue Company. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.; games begin at 7 p.m.

In addition to guns being raffled off, a bottle of 10-year-old Pappy Van Winkle bourbon is up for grabs – again.

Last year, a “generous benefactor gave us a rare bottle of bourbon to raffle off,” Krejci said. Patrick O’Connor, of Blooming Prairie, won the bottle in 2022 – and has donated it back to the group to be sold again.

The bottle sells for more than $1,000.

Just 500 tickets will be sold for the bourbon raffle, for $50 each. Tickets for gun bingo and its raffle are $60. Both events are only held Sept. 7.

The Prihoda all-cash raffle is also back, sponsored by the family and friends of Steve Prihoda. Cash prizes of $1,000, $300, and $200 will be awarded. Tickets are available from any cancer group member.

Family bingo will be available under the tent at 4:30 p.m. Sept. 9.

The main events are the live auctions, set for 7 p.m. on Sept. 8 and 9, also under the big tent.

Each auction will feature about 100 items, Krejci said, “and there is something for everyone.”

That includes: a Christmas brunch/lunch for 6; a 7-night stay in a Tampa, Fla., VRBO; Hope butter; a BBQ with all the trimmings for 25 people; a shrimp boil for eight people; a houseboat rental; a child’s battery-operated Gator and a UTV; metal work and woodwork.

Many other items can be seen on the BP Cancer Group Facebook page.

A “Battle of the Brands” features three tailgate benches, one each from a Ford, Chevy, and Dodge. That event will be at the Sept. 8 auction only.

Todd Utpadel, a local musician, has organized a group called Musicians Against Cancer, which will hold events in September, October, and November. Utpadel will be on hand to talk about the events during the Sept. 8 auction.

“Our goal is to just raise as much money as possible in the fight against cancer,” Krejci said, “and to help those that are battling cancer. We couldn’t do it without the help of all of our generous supporters.”

But back to those $10 cupcakes.

They will be sold both nights of the auction, and one cupcake each night will be “filled” with either a diamond cocktail ring or a diamond necklace.

All the proceeds go to the cancer group.

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If You Go:

What: Paint the Town Pink

Who: BP Cancer Group

Why: Raise funds for cancer research/awareness

When: Sept. 7-9

Where: Under the big tent at Main Street and First Ave. NE

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