Majestic Theater to raffle off classic collectibles as fundraiser

Date: 8/12/2009

By Rick Sobey

Staff Intern



WEST SPRINGFIELD -- Most cars are generally sold for thousands of dollars. However, the public now has the unusual opportunity to purchase a convertible or a motorcycle for only $10.

Ten bucks for a convertible or a motorcycle? That has to be a joke! Unbelievably, it's not.

The Majestic Theater will be hosting its 14th Annual Classic Raffle and one raffle ticket costs $10. This ticket gives an individual the chance to win a 1964 Corvette Stingray or a 2005 Harley-Davidson Heritage Springer Softtail Classic. A participant can purchase as many tickets as he or she wishes.

The money raised from this raffle will directly benefit the Majestic Theater. The Theater Project Inc., a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation that runs the Majestic Theater, uses the proceeds from the raffle to pay for operating expenses and for producing live theater at the Majestic Theater.

The Theater Project's goal is to provide actors, actresses and theater technicians from Western Massachusetts a professional environment in which to perform. Todd Kadis, treasurer of the Majestic Theater, believes that it is important to participate in this fundraiser.

"We receive no funding from the state and federal governments," Kadis said. "Producing live local theater is very expensive, so we need as much help as we can get from the local community."

In the past year, funds from the raffle helped pay for a fire sprinkler system as well as theater renovations, which added 50 seats to the Majestic.

The Corvette and Harley-Davidson are not donated for the raffle. The Theater Project always purchases the prizes for each year's raffle. The Theater Project also pays for transportation, insurance, licensing, taxes, public appearances and marketing expenses associated with the raffle.

The Corvette has a red exterior and black interior, which is complimented by a set of chrome side pipes and chrome wheels. It was delivered to the Majestic Theater with 39,793 miles, and it is valued at $45,000.

The Harley-Davidson is a black cherry color against chrome and has crossover dual exhausts with fishtail tips. It has 28,269 miles on the odometer, and it is valued at $15,000.

Kadis has noticed individuals coming from other states for this contest. "We have had a lot of participation in the past from our local community, but there have also been winners from Connecticut and New York," Kadis said.

The Majestic Theater sells a majority of the raffle tickets at events in Western Massachusetts, such as the Big E, the Brimfield Fair and at the Holyoke Mall, but there are other ways to purchase raffle tickets.

One way is to complete the raffle order form and mail it to the Majestic Theater. Phone orders are also accepted at 747-7797, or those interested can log on to www.majestictheater.com to purchase tickets.

The drawing will take place at midnight on New Year's Eve at the Majestic Theater.