Tata's Party far from a bust

WALLACE — Before 1991, word of a Tata's Party being held in Wallace may have had an entirely different meaning. In 2020 though, everybody who's anybody knows that the annual event is a one of (if not the) biggest fundraiser for the Shoshone Cancer Support Corporation.

Hosted for the first time at the Wallace Elks building last Saturday, the only things at the 9th annual Tata's Party that were stripped down to their bras were the wooden pallets (and one risque mannequin) displaying them for the live auction.

In total, this year's event raised $9,100 and had roughly 115 people attend.

Event organizer Aubrey Stovern was overjoyed with the turnout and humbled by how much was raised.

"It was by far our biggest year and we weren't expecting it to be even close to that due to the pandemic and everything," she said. "We didn't expect that many people, we didn't expect that many donations, and we certainly didn't expect that much profit."

The Tata's Party traditionally raises money primarily through a silent and live auction.

What makes the Tata's Party live auction so unique is the inclusion of custom-made bras as items to bid on.

Co-founder of the event, Vicki Harper, was the first to come up with the idea and the tradition just stuck.

"The bras just started out as something fun, something whimsical, something outside of the box that you would auction off," Stovern said.

Since those early years, Stovern and her girls have seen the party, and the unique bra designs, grow.

"The creativity and craftsmanship that comes back, you just never know what these bras are going to look like…sometimes they don't even look like bras after these ladies are done with them!"

Bras this year featured everything from polka dots and nails to alcohol shot holders and golf tees.

There were also other activities that brought in money, such as a wine wall, beer grab and cupcake bar.

Another part of this year's party that made it so unique was the presence of Shoshone Medical Center.

Set up near the entrance and next to the silent auction items, the SMC staff were on hand to tout their upcoming mammography screening this Saturday. They also helped keep an eye on the silent auction items while Stovern kept abreast of the live auction.

"They added so much to the festivities!" Stovern said. "It was really great that they were able to be a part of it."

Starting three years ago, the Tata's Party has raised an amount mirroring that of its particular year. In its sixth year, the event raised $6,000, then $7,000 in year seven, $8,000 in year eight, and now more than $9,000 in year nine. Stovern is already hoping to hit the $10,000 mark next year.

In addition to dollars raised, Stovern and the Tata's Party have also seen a rise in attendance.

Over the years, the party has needed larger and larger venues to host it. In the last five years, it has gone from being held at the Fainting Goat, to the Wallace Inn, and now the Wallace Elks building.

With another record-setting event in the books, Stovern will look back on the 9th Tata's Party as a mammary she'll never forget.

The support corporation is a 501(c)(3) that provides $25 vouchers (of various types, such as fuel and prescriptions) to Shoshone County residents battling cancer of all types.