FIRST BALE OF COTTON AUCTION
AND SCHOLARSHIP FUNDRAISER
The certification of the first bale of cotton grown in the United States by the Harlingen Cotton Committee reflect both the unique growing conditions and rich history of agriculture in the Rio Grande Valley.The first bale auction is a yearly event hosted by the Harlingen Cotton Committee and The Algodon Club. The proceeds generated by this event help fund scholarships for local youth who are pursuing agriculture related degrees.
THE FIRST BALE OF COTTON
Auction and Scholarship Fundraiser
Date and Time TBD
This year's first bale auction and scholarship fundraiser will be held at the TSTC Cultural Arts center in Harlingen, TX.
This event will feature both a live an silent auction with items that have been donated from our local sponsors. Refreshments and appetizers will be served. In addition a raffle will be conducted during the auction for the winners choice of an exciting vacation for two.
LAST YEAR'S RAFFLE PRIZES
Tickets are $25 each or 5 for $100. Tickets may be purchased from Algodon board members in advance or in person at the First Bale event. This years prizes are still being determined, but here are prizes that last year's raffle winner was able to choose from.
The tradition of certifying the nation’s First Bale of the year dates back to the 1800’s when the grower of the First Bale was required to transport the cotton to the Houston Cotton Exchange for certification. After verifying its status as the first bale of cotton to be harvested that year in the United States, the Exchange would put the bale up for auction. This process continued, uninterrupted, for many years until 1953, when the Harlingen Cotton Committee successfully petitioned the Houston Cotton Exchange for the rights to auction the First Bale. As a result of this hallmark agreement, for the past 60 years the Harlingen Cotton Committee of the Harlingen Area Chamber of Commerce has been solely responsible for certifying the nation’s First Bale of cotton each year. And for each of those 60 years, the First Bale has been grown in the fertile Rio Grande Valley
U.S. Senator John Cornyn
ITEMS FOR AUCTION
The scholarships that we are able to award would not be possible without the generous donations of individuals and companies in our area.
If you or your company would like to contribute an auction item to this years first bale auction please use the contact form on the right.
PAST SCHOLARSHIPS
In 2018 the Algodon Club awarded $31,000 in scholarships to graduating high school seniors in the Rio Grande Valley.
In addition, the Harlingen Cotton Committee awarded $10,000 in scholarships to students at TSTC.