Waco is the smallest city in Haralson County, but on Saturday it hosted one of the year’s biggest fundraising events: West Central Technical College’s Black Tie and Boots Concert.

On Aug. 9, approximately 450 members of the West Georgia area’s business and educational communities convened in the Buchanan room at West Central’s Waco Campus to enjoy a catered meal and a performance by county music sensation Sara Evans.

Everyone in attendance was warmly welcome by WCTC President Skip Sullivan before being addressed by WCTC Foundation President Ned Fowler.

“West Central, as you may know, has been here for 40 years, and this school is a school of helping to bring dreams,” Fowler said. ... “We really need your help. I’ve been asked on many occasions why are we doing this during the rough economic times we’ve had. When we have a single mom that has a child and she’s simply trying to make a better economic future for herself and her children, and she comes to us for schooling, we can’t say, ‘I’m sorry, we don’t have the space.’

“If you take a middle aged adult who has been downsized and has very little hope for the future but is trying to be retrained; to say, ‘I’m sorry, we don’t have space,’ this is not an option.”

Fowler encouraged those in attendance not only to give monetary donations, but also to hire WCTC graduates and share the school’s message of success with other members of the community.

“We need you to be our ambassador, to sing the song and tell people what we’re all about,” said Fowler.

The concert opened with young singer Ashley Monroe performing songs with her acoustic guitar. Monroe has gained prominence in country music by singing with star Ronnie Dunn on the duet titled, “I Don’t Want To.”

WCTC Vice President for Institutional Advancement Dawn Cook described Monroe as a rising star in country music. Saturday was the first time the 7-year-old Black Tie and Boots concert featured an opening event, and Monroe did not disappoint, serenading the crowd with her songs involving carefully written vocals and light acoustic guitar.

With a full band, professional stage lighting and a set of more than 10 songs, it was clear that Sara Evans was intent on giving the WCTC community a spirited and energetic performance.

Between songs, Evans described her childhood growing up on a small farm with her many sisters and brothers, some of which performed with her on Saturday.

Her two younger sisters, Lesley and Ashley Evans, sang harmony vocals while her older Brother, Matt Evans, played guitar.

Evans also took time to answer questions from the crowd, including whether or not her husband, Jay Barker, a former University of Alabama quarterback, could play for the team this year.

Many of the questions revolved around college football, with Evan’s conceding, “Matthew Stafford is a great quarterback,” to cheers, applause and laughter from the crowd.

With Evans on stage, it was not uncommon for members of the audience to clap, sing and sway along with the music.

Each year the WCTC has drawn a prominent performer for its concert event, and Evans is no exception. She emerged onto the country music scene in the late 90s by singing on a duet with Vince Gill titled “No Place That Far.” Since then her career has taken her to new heights, including a 2006 award from the Academy of Country Music for top female vocalist.

Evans has also appeared on the television shows Dancing with the Stars and Design Star, on ABC and HGTV respectively. Earlier this year in June, she gained further notoriety by marrying Barker and moving to Birmingham.

“Some of our sister colleges have big fundraising galas and events, but no one else does what we do with the level of celebrity we are bringing to the state,” Sullivan said.

It was clear that many members of the West Georgia community were looking forward to seeing a big country music star in a small town. Tickets for the event sold out weeks in advance, with the college getting multiple requests to add more tables and seats in the Buchanan room. According to Cook, it would be easy for WCTC to accommodate 1,000 guest for its concert event, but it would ruin the intimate atmosphere for which the fundraiser is known.

The proceeds from Saturday’s event will go toward student scholarships and an initiative to build a new campus in Coweta County.

“I can’t thank our sponsors enough,” Cook said. “They have caught the vision of technical education and what it means to our communities. Having their support gives the [WCTC] Foundation the resources it needs to support the College as it offers students the education and skills needed for high-tech, 21st Century jobs.”