Rockin' raises funds for the fair

The annual Rockin' the Hills fundraiser for the Great Northern Fair Foundation Saturday seems to have been a success. "The concert was our second-best one, as far as people coming and our profit," said Missy Boucher, foundation secretary. Boucher said 176 people paid the admission fee to get in, and with children young enough to enter free and people working the event and staffing the concession stand, about 215 were at the concert. The total proceeds to be used for the foundation's work at the fairgrounds came to about $2,200, Boucher said. The show opened with Barley Music Band, followed by Borderline and Milk River Band. Stuart MacKay and Trygve "Spike" Magelssen then played a few songs, followed by an encore performance by Borderline. A reprise by Barley Music Band wrapped up the show, which ended about 12:15 p.m. Boucher said she wanted to thank all of the musicians, who donated their performances for the show. The foundation had purchased some space heaters and Scott Doney of Diesel Doctor loaned the use of another heater. That kept the Bigger Better Barn at a comfortable temperature for The show, Boucher said. She added that the large sand pile for children to play on again was a big success, with up to a dozen children playing at the same time. "Not much is left of the mountain we started out with," Boucher added. The show was held as a concert this year, instead of as a battle-of-the-bands contest as in previous years. Boucher said another change was putting a single stage in the middle of the floor. "This year with the stage in the middle of the playing area it made the music sound much better than it has been in the past," she said. "With this change the crowd had an allaround view of the stage and the performers." The foundation also is in the middle of another fundraiser. It is holding a raffle, with 300 tickets being sold at $20 each. The prizes in the raffle are a $1,200 14-karat gold ring set with diamonds and Yogo sapphires, provided by Heirloom Jewelers and Fine Art Gallery, and a $700 shopping spree at Bing N Bob's Sports Shop. Tickets are available from any foundation member, or can be ordered by leaving a message at the fairgrounds office at 265-7121. The winning tickets will be drawn at the demolition derby during the 2010 Great Northern Fair. Proceeds from the concert and the raffle will be used to pay for improvements at the fairgrounds. Past work has included installing new facilities at the fairground arena and landscaping improvements on the grounds and the parking lot.