SWIFT CURRENT, SK – Great Plains College was proud to welcome another enthusiastic crowd to the 14th annual Carhartts & Caviar Welding Showcase and Auction, held March 5 in Swift Current. The event once again highlighted the exceptional talent within the Welding program and celebrated the creativity and craftsmanship behind nine custom-built auction pieces designed by Welding students, alumni, instructor Jared McKenzie and industry partners. This year’s showcase raised a record-breaking $48,000, including $26,400 through the live auction alone.
“The Carhartts & Caviar event has become a cornerstone of the program, giving students a unique opportunity to hone their skills and collaborate on custom projects that they can proudly showcase to family, friends, and potential employers,” said Jared McKenzie, Welding instructor at Great Plains College. “Even after 14 years of running this event, we continue to be blown away by the support shown by the community, alumni, industry and sponsors.”
This year’s top-selling auction items include:
- Outdoor Fire Table Patio Set – $4,800
- “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere” Bar – $4,500
- Rider Nation Fire Pit and camping chair set – $4,000
- Prairie Steel Wheat Sheaves – $4,000
The auction also featured a special commemorative piece, the Broncos “Our Team, Our Town” Wall Art, created in honour of the Swift Current Broncos’ 2018 WHL Championship team. The piece sold for $1,500, with half of the proceeds donated back to the Swift Current Broncos Education Fund, highlighting the strong hometown pride and community spirit woven throughout the event.
In addition to showcasing the Welding students’ craftsmanship, this year’s event also expanded its student involvement beyond the Welding shop, incorporating the talents of the Agricultural Science Certificate program students, who grew, designed and assembled the event’s custom centerpieces for raffle, adding a fresh new element to the evening.
“Carhartts & Caviar continues to showcase our commitment to hands‑on learning, student success and strong community partnerships,” said Brad Mahon, president & CEO at Great Plains College. “This event remains a highlight of our academic year, and we are profoundly grateful for the continued support that makes this event so special.”
Over its 14-year history, Carhartts & Caviar has raised nearly $400,000 in support of Great Plains College students, scholarships and essential Welding program upgrades and shop improvements, including the purchase of a CNC plasma table, milling machine, iron-worker, 12 new welders and wire feeders, a pulsed arc welder and two tig welders.
Great Plains College would like to again thank all of the sponsors that made this year’s event possible, including the presenting sponsor Western Canada Welding Products Ltd., and hospitality sponsor, City of Swift Current.
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For more information contact:
Amy Masse, manager of marketing and communications
Cell: 306-737-6107
Email