A Taste of Fall attracted an appreciative crowd Sunday evening in downtown Webster City. The event was staged by LIFT WC, the nonprofit that is rehabilitating the historic Elks Club building in the 700 block of Second Street.

LIFT WC brought real vibrancy to downtown Webster City Sunday evening with its outdoor Taste of Fall dinner and the 120 people who attended.

The event is a fundraiser for LIFT, which has undertaken the rehabilitation of the former Elks Club building in the 700 block of Main Street. The dinner was set up in front of the historic building.

“The Taste of Fall event is not only our largest fundraiser but it is such a great community event that brings old friends together and provides an opportunity for attendees to make new ones as they dine on a delicious meal outdoors at sunset,” Darcy Swon, president of the LIFT WC board, said.

“We were blessed with amazing weather and we look forward to holding this event again next year.”

She said LIFT will know in a couple of weeks how much money the evening raised.

Social time before and after the evening meal was staged in the Reveiz Park garden, adjacent to the Elks Building. The garden is the creation of Richard Carlson, a master gardener, who has donated hours of his time to making the former blank space a green oasis.

LIFT WC is a local nonprofit whose mission is community betterment, according to Swon.

When the rehabilitation is completed, the building will become a venue for community gathering as well as business space for lease on the main floor and in the basement. The rent from these tenants will be used to offset the building expenses such as utilities, Swon said.

Swon greeted the diners Sunday evening with a hearty welcome and a reminder that there is still a need for funding the project. Although the outside of the structure has been given extensive repair, the inside work is yet to be done. It will require additional monies, she said.

The Briggs Woods Conference Center prepared and served the 5-course meal and before dinner hor de vours.The guests ended the evening with a fire and live acoustic music provided by local favorite, Bill Robb.

The 2022 Taste of Fall sponsors included Abens Realty, Boone River Financial, People’s Credit Union, Osweiler’s Women’s Fashions, Webster City Custom Meats, Platinum Connect, Van Diest Medical Center, Seneca Foundry, First State Bank, Town & Country Insurance, The Trashman, Infinity Dermatology, Gilbert Jewelers, Jake Mueller – Farm Bureau Financial Services, Fosters Funeral and Cremation Center, Journey Health Care Group, Availa Bank, Snap Fitness, and inTANDEM marketing.

According to Swon, the nonprofit group plans to manage the third-floor ballroom of the historic building. It will be available for rent by individuals and businesses and organizations for meetings, private dinners, and receptions.

In addition, LIFT WC plans to host a wide variety of events in the space focused on bringing the community together. Events being discussed include live music, international dinners, multicultural events and various types of workshops, Swon said.

Monies generated from the use of the space will be put back out into the community to support local businesses and organizations.

For more information on LIFT WC, the building rehabilitation project, and how you can support their efforts, visit their website at liftwc.org and follow them on Facebook (@liftwc).