Tekoa Trestle gala slated

The trestle, pictured above, has never been open for use, but the Tekoa Trail and Trestle Association is aiming to change that.

The first ever Tekoa Trail and Trestle Gala will be Friday, May 29, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the home of Ted and Debra Blaszak. Their address is 141 S. Howard St. in Tekoa.

The gala will include hors d’oeuvres and live music of classical Spanish guitarist Abe Kenney and his violin accompanist.

There will also be valuable door prizes and several unique silent auction items scattered around that guests may bid on while exploring the house.

In a hidden room that you may only gain access to with the secret passwords “Save the Trestle,” there will be casino style gaming included.

The mission of the Tekoa Trail and Trestle Association is to open the trestle for safe recreational purposes and to enhance the John Wayne Trail, according to secretary Monte Morgan.

“The money raised at the gala will fund an exploration of the trail which begins at North Bend and continues across the state to the state line north of Tekoa.

The trail exploration will be led by Pete Martin of the Tekoa Bike Club, and the riders will be Tekoa residents Fred Wagner and Tristan Smith.

They are slated to start the ride across the state at North Bend June 14 and arrive in Tekoa the next Saturday for an honor appearance in the Slippery Gulch parade.

Tickets to the Gala are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. They may be purchased at Eclairs Coffee Shop, Inland Empire Grocery and the AmericanWest Bank located in downtown Tekoa.

Proceeds from the event will be used to underwrite the cross-state exploratory tour.