Do you have a little cabin fever? Come to the First Interstate Building at the Ravalli County Fairgrounds for the seventh annual Cowboy Ball. What began seven years ago as a means to raise money for the rodeo grounds at the fairgrounds has become a mid-winter institution.
There are some staples of the event. For example, there is the always popular Calf ‘Pie’ Bingo. Tickets are really cards from a deck of cards and are $20 each for this and only 52 are sold. The calf is brought into the building and put into a small pen that has 52 cards taped to the flooring. If the calf does his ‘business’ on the card, the matching card sold wins half the money.
Instead of a silent auction, there is a raffle with about 12 baskets ranging from everything you need for your dog to art for your home or yourself. There are baskets with oil changes and automotive needs, tack, dining, and even a handmade quilt. The live auction has some one-of-a-kind items, including a puppy. You can meet the pup earlier in the night at the Smooch the Pooch booth where you can get a puppy kiss for a buck.
There are other great auction items as well. These include a Winter Fun package with four tickets to Lost Trail Powder Mountain, swim passes to Lost Trail Hot Springs and a six pack of Face Plant beer. There is a week for 12 people at a guest house in Nye, Montana, southwest of Laurel. If you like Grizzly basketball, there is a Griz package with tickets in the president’s box and, of course, Griz swag. Double H Hat company of Darby has donated a custom cowboy hat. The Rockin’ RC Rodeo Package includes six season passes, Sky Box seats for the Friday night rodeo, six carnival tickets and if you have one, your business banner hung in the arena (that alone is worth $150). Finally, if you love bucking stock and would like to name either a bull or a bronc, here is your chance. Red Eye Rodeo Company of Deer Lodge will allow the lucky bid winner to name one of their young animals. Think about that, the horse or bull with the name you gave him, bucking out of chutes all over the state. This is a great way to put your business name out there in the state.
There will also be games such as Pin the Tail on the Pony with the winner getting a family fair package, Spin the Wheel for great prizes, and a Wine and Whiskey pull for those who are 21 and over. There is one other opportunity to help support the fair. Pavers for the area by the front gate will be available on Saturday. This is a great opportunity to show your support of the Ravalli County Fair.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 10th. There will be food by Smokin’ Pup out of Conner and libations from the Rainbow Bar available for purchase. There are a few tables left for $150 for eight people and eight drinks. There are also a few sweetheart tables for two available for $50. Call the Fairgrounds at 363-3411 today to reserve your table. Tickets are also available at the door for $10 a person. Music will begin about 7 p.m. with the band 406 playing until midnight. It’s a rockin’ good time put on for the Rockin’ RC Rodeo. Come on down.