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One of Ahwatukee's most anticipated day of events proved a success from sunrise to post-sunset.

The 16th annual Festival of Lights Wine & Beer Tasting Festival on Saturday drew nearly 1,000 guests clad in colorful sundresses and shirts to the Foothills Golf Club clubhouse and expansive lawn.

They noshed on area restaurant offerings and sampled more than 50 wines and beers, while keeping a close watch on coveted silent auction items such as the framed and autographed Steve Nash jersey with its starting bid of $700.

"I bid on several items but I don't think I'll win anything," said Connie Nelson-Askew, executive director of Ahwatukee Foothills Family Y, who was attending with her senior program director, Sandra Franks.

Looking about the crowded room and the outdoor deck, Nelson-Askew said she was thrilled with the enthusiastic involvement of residents.

"When I think of all the volunteers it takes to put this together - well, it's amazing," she said. "They always do an incredible job. What I really love about this, though, is how it brings the community together."

FOL Committee president Kristine Kemper signed her name as the opening $75 bid on a pair of fashionable Ed Hardy sunglasses valued at $250. Her bid was quickly exceeded, but she was too busy to return to the auction table.

"I think it's done as well as it's ever done," Kemper said of the fundraiser. "We never, ever get any complaints, but we get tons of compliments."

Throughout the evening, those who attended recalled the main reason they were there.

"I love the holiday lights every year; that's why I put my blood, sweat and tears into this," said Jackie Klecka, FOL committee vice-president and former University of Phoenix public relations specialist who is the Festival of Lights spokeswoman this year. "We had a successful Kick-Off (November) this year and now this, so it helps us breathe a little easier."

The morning's opener - the annual Charity Golf Tournament hosted by the FOL and the Kiwanis Club of Ahwatukee to benefit area charities and services - brought 56 players, a far cry from the days of 100 teams. Temperatures that started in the upper 70s at the 7:30 a.m. tee time had golfers seeking any sliver of shade by noon when it reached near 100 degrees.

"Seems the Arizona summer has finally arrived," quipped Jim Crouch, Charity Golf Tournament chairman, former FOL president and husband of the current FOL president.

Though San Tan's Ford F-150 pickup truck at the 16th hole beckoned, no player made the 162-yard hole-in-one necessary to win it.

"Once again the Ahwatukee community came together in support of the Festival of Lights and the Kiwanis Club of Ahwatukee with sponsorships and prizes that helped raise several thousand dollars," Crouch said. "That money will help the Festival of Lights continue the holiday-light display again this year, and help the Kiwanis Club fund several programs for kids in our community - two causes we care deeply about."