Cowboy Christmas auction to celebrate Templeton honorees, support local nonprofits

By Hayley Mattson · Sat Nov 07 2026

Dec. 3 gathering will recognize Niels and Bimmer Udsen and Templeton Floor Company while continuing a holiday giving tradition

Decorated Christmas trees will take center stage as neighbors gather to support local nonprofits and celebrate community service at the 2026 A Very Merry Cowboy Christmas Tree Auction. Presented by the Paso Robles & Templeton Chamber of Commerce, the event is scheduled for 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, at the American Legion Hall, 805 S. Main St. The evening will include food, live entertainment, community awards and an auction of trees donated and decorated by local businesses, organizations and residents. Proceeds will benefit designated local nonprofit organizations.

This year’s celebration will honor Niels and Bimmer Udsen of Castoro Cellars as Templeton Citizens of the Year and Templeton Floor Company, led by Michael Torgerson, as Business of the Year.

The Udsens founded Castoro Cellars in 1983. According to the chamber’s award announcement, their contributions extend beyond winemaking to sustainable agriculture, student support and cultural and recreational opportunities, including the Whale Rock Music Festival and Whale Rock Disc Golf Course.

Templeton Floor Company has been locally owned and operated since 1979. The chamber recognized the business for its workmanship and community involvement, including sponsorships, donated materials and support for local events and projects under Torgerson’s leadership.

The holiday auction has roots reaching back to 2018, when the Templeton Chamber of Commerce advertised its first Christmas Tree Auction and Dinner. The gathering, themed “A Night in Narnia,” was scheduled at BarrelHouse Brewing and paired community awards with a live auction of six decorated trees.

That inaugural auction’s designated beneficiaries included CASA of San Luis Obispo County, El Camino Homeless Organization, Fig at Courtney’s House, Paso Robles Youth Arts Foundation, Templeton Fire Department and Tolosa Children’s Dental Center.

The tradition has taken different forms over the years. In 2021, the chamber incorporated a charity tree auction into Christmas on Main Street. Nine businesses adopted trees for nine nonprofits, with bidding conducted online and the trees displayed at businesses along Main Street. That year, the selected nonprofits received all auction proceeds.

By 2024, the auction demonstrated how much holiday decorations could accomplish for local causes: Thirteen trees raised $26,725. The highest bid, $6,000, went toward a tree benefiting the Martha Olson-Fernandez Foundation, which supports research into amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS.

This December, the cowboy Christmas theme will provide the setting for another evening of bidding and recognition, with decorated trees and their accompanying surprises offering guests a way to bring home holiday cheer while supporting community organizations.

Individual tickets are $125. Tables of eight are $1,000, and tables of 10 are $1,200, with sponsorship recognition included for tables. Registration is available through the chamber’s event page.

Businesses, organizations and residents interested in sponsoring a tree may email mae.gonzalez@pasorobleschamber.comor complete the tree sponsorship form.