Fort Ligonier goes all out for Cannon Ball auction prizes

The Cannon Ball returns to the grounds of Fort Ligonier on Sept. 17, after going online in 2020 because of the pandemic.

Under two large tents on the patio of the education building and adjacent lawn, the signature fundraising event will feature the unveiling of a new whiskey collaboration with Wigle Whiskey.

Silent auction prizes will include dinner for eight with Emmy Award-winning journalist Brit Hume, a trip to Barbados, a unique furniture piece by local craftsman Paul Sirofchuck and an experience set around the new whiskey.

“We’re moving our entire Cannon Ball outside on our magnificent historical site,” said Julie Donovan, director of marketing and public relations.

The “smart casual” event, set for 6-9 p.m., also will feature music by a Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra quartet, along with food stations and passed hors d’oeuvres from Vallozzi’s Restaurant.

The new “A Mad Sort of Fool” whiskey will be available for purchase during the ball, and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. the next day in the fort museum shop.

The name comes from a sobriquet given by Gen. John Forbes to the fort’s quartermaster John St. Clair, “who was notoriously difficult to work with,” Donovan said.

The St. Clair Experience auction prize includes dinner for four in the lower fort with St. Clair, interpreted by Brett Walker, a bottle of the whiskey, hand-blown ale glasses, a whiskey stones set, a print of Allan Ramsay’s John St. Clair portrait, which hangs in the fort’s art gallery, and a copy of “On Campaign Against Fort Duquesne: The Braddock and Forbes Expeditions, 1755-1758, through the Experiences of Quartermaster Sir John St. Clair,” by Douglas R. Cubbison.

The Sirofchuck piece is one of four end tables crafted from wood sourced from trees that were removed from the Ligonier Diamond during a recent renovation project. One table went to the Ligonier Valley Library, one went to a Ligonier residence and one was an auction prize at the 2019 Cannon Ball.

“This is the last one,” Donovan said.

Dinner with Hume will be set in a private Ligonier-area residence.

The five-day, four-night Barbados trip includes airfare, hotel accommodations, an afternoon tea, tours and more.

The silent auction goes live at noon Friday and ends at 8:30 p.m. Sept. 17. Guests will be able to bid using their cell phones during the Cannon Ball, Donovan said.

Proceeds from the event benefit on-site and online education programs and historic preservation projects at the fort.

A ticket is $125. Reservations are needed by Friday at 724-238-9701 or fortligonier.org.