In what has become a summer institution in Trail, this year’s version of the Smoke Eaters’ annual fundraiser is shaping up to be the best yet.
The seventh annual Trail Smoke Eaters Alumni Dinner and Golf Fundraiser has confirmed that at least two former notable Trail residents will be attending the event on July 8 and 9.
“We’re happy that Edmonton Oiler GM, Steve Tambellini will be one of our head table guests and he’ll be joined by his head coach, Tom Renney,” said Smoke Eaters president Tom Gawryletz.
Tambellini and Renney will speak at the ALS dinner at the Riverbelle Friday, as golfers feast before hitting the fairways at the Birchbank Golf Course, Saturday.
Tambellini’s son Jeff, of the recent Stanley Cup finalist Vancouver Canucks, may also make an appearance.
“We’re working on his son at the moment but we’re just not sure it’s going to happen because of the late season,” explained Gawryletz.
Jeff Tambellini was arguably the best player in game seven of the Cup final and while his attendance is still up in the air, he has already forwarded a Canucks autographed jersey to be raffled - along with a variety of other professional player donations.
Steve Tambellini is a Trail native and an ex-Smoke Eater while Renney, a Cranbrook native, lived in Trail during the 1980s when he coached the junior Smoke Eaters and owned TG Renney men’s clothing store.
“He’s been a fixture around the area and always a good supporter of ours,” Gawryletz added.
It’s exactly one year ago and a day that Tambellini named Renney the Oilers head coach in place of Pat Quinn.
A live and silent auction will be featured at the dinner, with cocktails served at 6 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m.
The three-man scramble tees off at 1 p.m. with over $5,000 in prizes up for grabs at the fun event, followed by a barbecue dinner.
Last year’s fundraiser raised about $17,000 for the Smoke Eaters and ALS, Gawryletz hopes to duplicate it this year.
Tickets are available at Re/Max Pro Realty and there are about 25 spots left on the golf course. Tickest are $50 for the ALS dinner or $125 for both the dinner and golf. Registration deadline is July 1.