The word from attendees of the seventh annual Carhartts and Caviar event is in, the fundraiser is beginning to become a staple of Swift Current's education, arts, and fundraising scene.

As the event created by Swift Current's Great Plains College Welding Instructor Jared McKenzie entered its seventh year, the college's gymnasium was packed with patrons looking to support the post-secondary welding program.

At the fundraiser, creations from the welding class, as well as donated pieces of metalworks, furniture, and art were auctioned off to raise funds. A raffle and the price of admission were also collected for the benefit of the college.

Funds raised will be put towards both upgrades to welding facilities at the school, as well as scholarships.

All 290 possible tickets to the event were sold, and $13,570 was raised by the auction. A member of the school said that the total amount of funds raised are not yet available.

McKenzie said that seeing the event come to fruition each year takes a lot of effort from staff at the college.

"Countless hours through countless people. I could probably list for hours how many people are involved in this event," said the recipient of the 2016 Colleges and Institutes Canada Leadership Excellence Award for Faculty. "It's a full year-long process that we go through between the college staff and all our sponsors and partners. It has truly become, truly a community event."

He said that sponsors of the event played a big role as members of the community stepped up in big ways to support the event, and in turn, the welding program.

"We have companies that are building stuff, and companies supplying stuff for our auction, it's a lot. A lot goes into that. People have stepped up and stood behind this event, and it's absolutely amazing to see how much they do for us."

McKenzie said that funds raised would play a big role in creating a financially-inclusive and state-of-the-art education environment.

"Equipment and parts of the shop are very expensive to buy, so it gives us the opportunity to provide some of the newer stuff that funds might not be available without an event like this, and the scholarships are huge. Some kids, they just financially can't afford to come into the school, so to be able to be given a scholarship to come into the program, and whether it helps them with books, or tuition, or food, or just living expenses, or just getting by until they're done their education, until they can get out into the workforce and start making money, is a great thing to do."

Dave Keast, president and CEO of Great Plains College, said that he was proud of the event and what it has done to past, present, and future welding students who study in Swift Current.

"It's an example of creative and really really innovative work led by the welding instructor, by the students in the welding program. It showcases not only the program, but it is a positive reflection on the entire college and the community, because what you will find is when you walk into the room, into the gym, we're packed to the rafters with supporters."

Keast said that the college was lucky to have the award-winning McKenzie with the college, as he was responsible for the fundraiser's creation.

Swift Current Mayor Denis Perrault participated in the auction, even going as far as to auction off the night's mystery final item. Upon Perrault's Wife, Leah Perrault, bidding on the item, the mayor jokingly begged the crowd to outbid her.

Perrault spoke on what led to the creation of the event.

"It was quite a few years ago they [Great Plains College] came back up to [McKenzie] when he did a capital request, and they said 'there just isn't enough money right now' and so this was his idea. He came up with Carhartts and Caviar, and it's been an incredible success every year since, and every year it gets better and better. And it's great for his students to be able to put these pieces together and see a community rally behind them."

He said that the event shines a light on the work that Great Plains College does for Swift Current.

"What it means for us, is our students get a chance to stay here or come here from all around, be able to get educated and hopefully stay here long term and ultimately grow Swift together. To be able to bring something like this together with one-of-a-kind art pieces that you'll never see again, is a way to showcase arts, it's a showcase of talent, and welding talent, and just a great chance to showcase the community of Swift Current."