Running with purpose INSIDE Labor Day Arts Fair
More than 90 artists have masterpieces waiting to find their forever homes at Lions Park, Sept. 3. Page 2
Nitty Gritty Off Road Race
Runners’ fingers are crossed for a snow-free Sept. 4 on Red Lodge Mountain. Page 3
Red Lodge Ales Oktoberfest
Drinking games and German fare find their way to the brewery, Sept. 8. Page 4
Upcoming Events
Red Lodge is host to exciting events year-round; read up on what’s happening. Page 4
Explore Red Lodge is a special advertising section of The Billings Gazette General Manager Dave Worstell Advertising Director Ryan Brosseau Advertising Manager Arcadea Scott Content Editors Tara Cady Charity Dewing Access Explore Red Lodge at www.billingsgazette.com/specialsections
RED LODGE Hometown Humanities
Largest fundraiser in Carbon County celebrates 15 years BY TARA CADY
tcady@billingsgazette.com
Since the Fun Run for Charities began in 2004, the annual event has raised more than $2.3 million for more than 70 nonprofits that serve Carbon County residents. The county’s largest fundraiser put on by the Red Lodge Area Community Foundation continues to be a Labor Day Weekend favorite in 2018. Beginning at 7 a.m., Sept. 1, runners can pick up their race packet and T-shirt at Lions Park for the 10K, 5K or 2-mile walk. Day-of registrants pay $20 to participate, while those pre-registered race for free. Registration closes at 8:30 a.m. The three races kick off at 9 a.m., beginning and ending at the park. All abilities are welcome, and participants can bring their canines along as long as leashes do not exceed six feet. Kiddos can get their hearts pumping, too, by taking part in the Rascal Relay happening shortly afterward. By 10 a.m., a free barbecue sponsored by the Lions Club will be serving up scrumptious plates for participating runners, donors and charities. Music, a Beartooth Mountain Guides climbing wall, Pippi the Clown, an awards ceremony and
PHOTO COURTESY OF RED LODGE AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Choose between a 10K, 5K and 2-mile walk to support the 61 Carbon County charities at the Fun Run, Sept. 1. historic Yellowstone bus rides by the Buses of Yellowstone Preservation Trust round out the postrace happenings. Sixty-one nonprofits are on the receiving end of this year’s event, including organizations new to the fundraiser, like Big Horn Basin Paleontological Institute, Girl Scouts of Montana and Wyoming, Carbon County 4-H, and Friends of Bridger Public Library. Most fundraising occurs outside of the Fun Run through mailers, but event-goers can donate at the door or enter a raffle, with proceeds going toward a match fund. According to the foundation’s marketing and outreach coordinator Chelsea Ditmore, the match fund
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benefits all 61 charities, who receive a percentage from the match for all the donations they receive. Proceeds from merchandise like T-shirts, moisture-wicking shirts, hats, dog scarves and stickers also benefit the match fund. Items for sale can be found at one of more than 61 booths at the park; each charity has its own spot to share with the community its mission and how donations go to support it. “One of the big purposes
of the Fun Run is to help streamline, not just for the different nonprofits, but also for the donors,” Ditmore said. The fundraising continues for two weeks after the event. Donors can stop by the foundation’s office at 122 Hauser Ave. S., or visit redlodgefunrun.org to pledge their support. Last year, the Fun Run raised $222,638 for its 56 participating charities. This year’s goal is to raise $250,000. People come from as far as Texas and the Midwest to support the fundraiser. And local volunteers have dedicated more than 1,704 hours to make the event possible. “We live in a very caring and thoughtful community,” Ditmore said.