The Amigo Club of Ashland announces Guanajuato Nights celebration to benefit the Endowment Scholarship Fund.

The Amigo Club is continuing its ever-popular annual Guanajuato Nights dinner-fundraiser, following a three-year suspension during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s time to reintroduce Guanajuato Nights to the Ashland community that has actively supported sister city relationships with Guanajuato for more than 54 years,”  Amigo Club President Betzabé “Mina” Turner said.  “The 2023 fundraising dinner will be held Saturday, Dec. 2, in the Stevens student union. “

This year’s theme is the “Marvelous Mines of Guanajuato,” which recognizes one of the largest and centuries-old mining industries at the heart of Guanajuato’s foundation.  As such, the food and music will embrace this unique theme.

“We expect that our community and its sister city supporters will be excited to see the return of Guanajuato Nights,” said Señora Chela, the visionary who founded the award-winning sister city relations with Guanajuato.  “This has always been a time to recognize and celebrate our longstanding relationship with our people-to-people connections. We’ve had hundreds of exchanges over the years between the cities’ officials, firefighters, little league players, SOU students, faculty, and University presidents.  It is not the same without the people and the magic of these special connections.”

Fundraising activities at the Guanajuato Nights and matching contributions from benefactor Frances “Faffie” Seikman Romero of Mexico have raised more than $200,000 for Amigo Club’s endowed scholarship fund administered by the SOU Foundation.   The scholarships benefit SOU and University of Guanajuato students participating in the Amistad Student Exchange Program.  

Amigo Club chairman of the Guanajuato Nights Committee, Jay Tapp, said the following: “The dinner raises money in two ways — through ticket sales for the dinner and an auction. This year, we are introducing a ‘chance auction,’  an engaging way for everyone to contribute without spending too much money.  We’ve prepared dozens of prize packages and everyone has a chance to win.  We expect upwards of 125 people attend our dinner celebration. We know it will be a fantastic time.”

As in past years, the club will present special awards to individuals for their part in building and fostering sister city relations. We are pleased to announce this year’s honorees:

– John Stromberg – Former Mayor of Ashland

– Dennis Slattery – SOU Professor of Business

– Dr. Roy Saigo – Former SOU President

– Sandra Slattery – Executive Director, Ashland Chamber of Commerce

– Señora Berta Montalvo Beloved citizen of Guanajuato (recently deceased)

To learn more about the event or purchase tickets, please visit  https://myevent.com/GTOnights2023