Wallace Chamber readies for rededication

WALLACE — The Wallace Chamber of Commerce is once again excited to be hosting the annual rededication of the Probable Center of the Universe this Saturday.

Held at the probable exact location, a manhole cover at the junction of Sixth and Bank streets in Wallace, attendees are once again expected to fill the junction to see the elaborate ceremony. The celebration will feature a reading of former Mayor Ron Garitone's speech in 2004 at the first ceremony, where he gave the city’s “scientific reasoning” for the claim.

“…In the absence of such proof (that it isn’t the Center), we are mandated to conclude that, therefore, be the Center of the Universe!”

In addition to free copies of the proclamation being available and performance from the Wallace Elks Drum and Bugle Corps, attendees are also invited to participate in the Wallace Chamber's fundraiser raffle.

A $25 ticket gets participants a chance to win $4,200 worth of Silver, among other items.

"The chamber is selling 400 chances to win a host of prizes including the Grand Prize of a kilo of Silver from Johnson’s Gems," said Wallace Chamber coordinator Dave Copelan. "Other prizes include hotel stays, Zipline, Ski and Hiawatha packages, jewelry, e-bike rentals, drink and dining packages and more."

Winners need not be present to win prizes, and the drawing will occur immediately following the festivities.

The Wallace Drum & Bugle Corps will kick off their opening performance at the junction around 6:15 p.m. Self-proclaimed Prime Minister of Wallace Rick Shaffer will then lead the Re-dedication and toast at 6:30 p.m.

The event was covered by NBC and the segment aired on the network’s Sunday Today Show in 2019 and 2020.

“It will be a very, very Wallace type event,” Copelan said.

The raffle is the chamber’s main fundraiser to keep the Wallace Visitor Center open and staffed, as well as fund advertising, website and promotions.

Tickets are available at downtown Wallace locations and at the Wallace Chamber offices.