Boot Drive a Big Win for Carnival

On April 28, members of the Northeast Montana Fair Board and volunteers from the community took their positions at downtown intersections to accept donations. Over $6,200 was raised.

The boot drive was one method of fundraising approved by the fair board to help pay for this year's carnival. According to fair board member Louise Lemieux, the boot drive was a suggestion due to the success of other drives such as Block of Bucks. "Doing this type of fundraiser really brings awareness to the community."

The carnival is scheduled for Aug. 2-5 and will have approximately 14 rides, 10 games and at least one food booth. The entire cost to bring these attractions to the fair is $46,000, which includes the workers to staff the attractions, the set-up and transportation costs. The amount needed to be raised sounds large, however there are many benefits to having a fun carnival for the NE Montana Fair. "This is a big carnival. It will not only bring people into town but it will also allow people to stay in town instead of going to other cities for their fair needs," said Lemieux.

If you would like to donate to the carnival, raffle tickets are being sold at Pizza Hut, Ezzie's Westend, Ezzie's Midtown, Agland, Holiday, Stoughie's in Hinsdale, the Mint Bar in Opheim, Wagon Wheel Bar in Nashua and through any fair board member. Raffle tickets are $20 each with cash winners being drawn every day in the month of June.

There is also an account open at Valley Bank to donate funds directly to the cause.