The Swift Current Wildlife Federation celebrated a significant milestone for one of its flagship events on the weekend.

Saturday saw a sold-out Legion Hall as the Wildlife Federation hosted its annual fundraiser banquet for the 30th time.

The banquet isn't just a dinner and speeches; they also have items to bid on. There are tables set up for the silent auction and then a live auction with some of the bigger, more in-demand items.

Helping set up the event, and bidding on a few items himself, was Chris Grainger, vice-president of the Swift Current Wildlife Federation and the co-chair of the fundraiser.

"Our community and our businesses have generously donated thousands of dollars in prizes for us to auction off via silent auction and live auction," said Grainger. "We call them "bucket tables" where people can buy tickets on each coloured table and win the various things off there. All this money that we raised tonight will go to fund all of our programs."

One of the programs that the night's generous bids help to fund is their FINS program, which has kids learn about raising fish in school. They watch as they hatch, grow, and eventually get added to the Burnett Recreational Site, which the Wildlife Federation manages in Swift Current.

All these bids come from the people in Swift Current and area who purchased a ticket for the banquet. This year, being their tricennial rendition, saw an extra batch of tickets added to the mix.

"We initially had 250 tickets," said Grainger. "We printed out another 25 more, so we have about two 275 in there tonight."

The food was catered by the K-Motel, which has been with them since the beginning three decades ago. After 30 years, the Wildlife Federation was thrilled to have such a strong turnout.

"I know some of the guys have been helping since the start. They're the ones that we need to give all the credit to. They've done all the leg work and done all the hard things with finding out what works and doesn't work over the years. We just try and change things up every year, get different prizes, try and play to the audience what they're going to buy."