Minot Area Chamber EDC (MACEDC)
Minot Area Chamber EDC (MACEDC) is getting geared up for the 38th Annual Prairie Warrior Auction on April 24, 2025, at the North Dakota State Fair Center Magic Place as plans are in place and donations are rolling in. The public is invited to an evening of food, fun, and bidding to support the military personnel on Minot Air Force Base, as proceeds from the event will go to the Prairie Warrior Association and Home for the Holidays initiative.
The Prairie Warrior Association helps squadrons at Minot Air Force Base pay for events, meals, and other morale-boosting activities aimed at improving day-to-day life for all who serve. Home for the Holidays is a program facilitated by MACEDC that sends first-term airmen home to visit their friends and family members throughout the November and December holiday season.
Verendrye Electric Cooperative is the presenting sponsor of the event for the third year in a row.
“Verendrye Electric Cooperative has been a proud supporter of the military since 1955,” said Tom Rafferty, MACEDC Military Affairs Committee chair and Verendrye Electric Member Services and Communication Manager. “We are grateful to all who serve and want to do our part to help. We are proud to support the annual auction that supports Minot Air Force Base.”
Doors open at 4:30 p.m. and the taco buffet begins at 6:00 p.m. The live and silent auctions will be open with a wide selection of items that won’t disappoint including donations of unique military items, contributions from the community you can’t find anywhere else, private events, local experiences, and more. The event will include a 50/50 raffle and additional opportunities to support. The bidding system for the silent auction is completely digital, so the public can participate and win even if unable to attend the auction itself. The website for the items will be available to start placing bids on Friday, April 18. The deadline for submitting donations has been extended to Monday, April 14, and we encourage the community to bring any of their items to MACEDC office at 1020 20th Avenue in southwest Minot.
“In 2024, the Prairie Warrior Auction raised nearly $112,000 to support Team Minot, and we’re hoping that this year will be even bigger and better” shared Ryan Ackerman, 2025 MACEDC Board Chair. “Being able to see all the support rolling in from the community each year – from individuals, businesses, and organizations – is amazing to see. The fact that it was because of the support toward our friends and neighbors in the military that we were able to help 138 first term airmen visit their families for the holidays really exemplifies the commitment that the Minot area has to supporting each other.”
The auction is open to the public and costs $25 per person, and all attendees must be over 21 to attend. Active-duty military and spouses are welcome to attend the event at no cost.
Table sponsorships for businesses, organizations, and individuals to directly support the Home for the Holidays initiative are available for purchase and selling fast. Learn more, preview auction items beginning on April 15th, and secure your ticket ahead of time on the Minot Area Chamber EDC website.
We look forward to seeing you at the Prairie Warrior Auction!
