Starry Nights ticket lottery runs smoothly

The crowd waiting for Sisters Starry Nights concert tickets all got their tickets. photo by Tom Chace

Organizers of the Starry Nights benefit concert series were afraid that high demand could make for some disgruntled folks at a December 6 lottery for the sale of tickets for the Kenny Loggins concert last Saturday.

However, all went smoothly at Leavitt's Western Wear, ticket sales headquarters.

Sue Arends, one of the leaders of the fund-raising program to benefit the Sisters Schools Foundation, was very pleased with the patience and lack of concern among those who stood in line to receive a lottery number, which gave the holder the right to buy tickets.

"We have 300 seats for sale and each person can buy two, so we'll have only 150 lottery numbers to hand out," she said in advance of the 9 a.m. deadline for those to get in line to get the "winning" lottery number.

At the stated hour there were less than 100 in the Loggins line, so all were assured of getting tickets for his concert on January 17, 2004.

A second line, shorter in length, was for those who wanted tickets to the other two concerts: the first on March 13 featuring Kim Carnes, Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Suzy Bogguss and Greg Barnhill. The third concert, scheduled for April 18, features Kathy Mattea.

First in line for the Loggins Lottery was Roger Engstrom who arrived at 6 a.m. for the 9 a.m. sale.

"I didn't know about the lottery plan," he said, "so I got here early just to be sure."

He was sure and he did get his two tickets after his three-hour wait.

Second in the Loggins line was Diane McClain of Sisters, who didn't arrive until 7:45 a.m. Fortunately for those arriving early, the weather cooperated and the morning was clear.

First in the other line was teenager Sam Orwig, who was a stand-in for a family out-of-town friend. Number 2 in this line was Nettie Morkison of Sisters. Mac Heitzhausen, also of Sisters, was near the front of line two.

"I'd rather have tickets to two of the concerts than take a chance on getting only a pair for Kenny Loggins," he said.

As it turned out, anyone there could have purchased tickets to all three concerts; none was sold out.

One enterprising person took orders for coffee which were filled across the street at the Sisters Market. A back-of-the-liner suggested that next year (if there is another line for tickets) the sponsors could set up a coffee and sweet-roll table and make a few extra dollars selling to those waiting.

Cheryl Barker came over from Prineville and was near the end of the Loggins line but she was assured that she got her two tickets. Mary and Steve Pyke from Sisters were also at the tail end. Steve Pyke said that it makes sense to him "to have a lottery with the limited number of tickets available to the public."

A limited number of major sponsors for the fund-raiser received reserved seats for their substantial contributions.

"The (Bend Memorial) medical clinic contributed $1,500," said Dr. May Fan, "and we got two tickets to each of the three concerts for that."

She was in line to buy extra tickets for herself.

There were only 50 sponsorships available, according to Arends, and those were mostly renewed from previous years.

"We have a long waiting list for sponsorships and have not touched it yet," she said.

Organizers emphasized that these concerts are a benefit. The talent gives of it's time and all the work is handled by volunteers. During the six years Starry Nights has been in existence, over $330,000 has been raised and given to the Sisters Schools Foundation to fund programs that otherwise might be cut due to budget constraints.

One of those in line raised the question about finding a new, larger venue so more tickets could be sold. A prepared handout stated that the artists like the intimacy of the high school setting, "a rare treat for them and our audience," it said.

Some have suggested moving the series out of town.

Moving to the Deschutes County Fairgrounds in Redmond, the handout states, "would jeopardize the very thing that attracts these wonderful artists. We ask that people remember that Starry Nights is above all a benefit ... that ultimately it is meant to help the children of Sisters."