Las Vegas takes over Laughlin

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Sara Csurilla
  • 47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  It's not everyday you can walk into Club XL and be greeted by an Elvis Presley impersonator, play blackjack and have the opportunity to get married in the "Chapel of Love."

That was the situation Feb. 9, when the Officers Spouses Club put on "Viva Laughlin" at Club XL to help spice up the annual OSC Auction.

After nearly 350 people passed the sign reading "Welcome to Fabulous Laughlin Texas" at the entrance of Club XL, most couldn't help but notice the life-size cardboard cutouts of Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley at the welcoming table. Elvis movies were played on the walls and lights dimmed as the gamblers made the most of the poker tables. The club was entirely transformed into a typical night out in Las Vegas.

With so many attendants the OSC estimated around $16,000 in proceeds, mainly accumulated from the auction, said Sheila Richardson, OSC vice president.

The OSC Auction is held every year in order to help raise money for various charities, but the majority of the money raised goes to the OSC Scholarship Fund available for the Laughlin and Del Rio community, said Heather Frazier, OSC auction chairperson.

"Auction items included such things as dog baskets, diamonds, airline tickets and gift certificates," said Ms. Frazier. "Our highest bid item was a seven-day vacation to Jamaica, auctioned off for $1,100."

"One hundred and twenty individuals, businesses and corporations from Del Rio, San Antonio and even Las Vegas donated all of the auction items," said Mrs. Richardson. "They were all so helpful."

In addition to the auction, participants were given $20 in "funny money" to spend throughout the night.

The money, donned with faces of current leadership, was used to gamble in the casino and play games like blackjack or poker.

Attendants could also use the money to visit the Tacky Tourist Shop that sold items such as tacky glasses, glow sticks and Laughlin memorabilia.

"There was also karaoke jail," said Mrs. Frazier. "Anyone could pay three dollars of funny money to put a friend behind bars. To be released from the jail, the person had to sing or pay five dollars."

"I'm a huge Elvis fan so this event gave me a chance to dress like him," said Maj. Jeffrey Findley, 47th Flying Training Wing Flight Safety Officer. "I had a blast; I would most definitely go back if they did this again!"

We wanted to do it Vegas style this year in order to spice the auction up and have more of an entertaining environment for everyone on base, she said. It really turned out to be phenomenal.

"This year had more activities and a theme to it, and I think it was one of our best events ever," said Mrs. Richardson. "I can't wait to see how everything turns out next year."