RIVERS
BANNER September 2, 2016
Volume 109, Issue 10
ersary v i n Celebrating our 108th An
Gazette-Reporter Serving the Rivers, Rapid City and Oak River areas for 107 years
89¢ + tax
Band blast = big bucks By Sheila Runions Banner Staff
R
iverdale Splashpark Committee was formed two years ago with a mission to raise enough funds to build a splashpark on Hwy. 25 between Kids Park and Skateboard Park. To that end, several fundraising efforts have been co-ordinated, with the latest occurring on Saturday, Aug. 20. Deemed a Band Blast, the seven-hour event was reduced to five because so few people remained on the property. Local musician Tad Hoyak supplied and setup all the necessary sound equipment, which truly blasted the tunes from its location (the parking lot of Shelly Mom’s Kitchen in the 600 block of Second Avenue) all the way to the east end of town. People in the 200 block of Third Avenue said they could hear the downtown music in their yards. Yet, the sound onsite was not that deafening so it was an enjoyable afternoon for those who attended the free event. Musicians performed under a Rivers Ag Society tent, which Tad and his crew installed the day before. Stan and Sheila Runions kicked off the party with nearly 90 minutes of karaoke music. Then Tad’s band, Twelve Toes, played a set before Clair and Beth English took a turn with old-time tunes; he on piano and she, the violin. Jeff Worth accompanied himself on guitar before Twelve Toes returned for another set. All the while, children had various activity stations to visit; adults could supervise or view/purchase wares from 10 different flea market tables. Rivers Bigway Foods supplied a two-slide bouncy castle which was in constant use from the 1 p.m. start of the Band Blast. The grocery store also donated cases of pop which were sold to event goers at the afternoon hot dog station or evening meal. Clean Under Pressure monitored three games — a kids’ car wash, a water gun race and a giant bubble station. These activities were possible because Bigway and Rivers Home Hardware allowed Pressure to have a constant supply of water to keep kids clean, fill guns and make pails and pails of bubble solution. Splashpark members also co-ordinated and manned various games, held on the former Redline Transport empty lot, which showed off a brand new Redline semi and a few older cars enthusiasts brought for display. There were several raffle draws; prize winners were: Bill Johnson, John Deere pedal bike; Justin Ventor, jewelry and remote-controlled car; Wendy Wood, picture frame and gift certificate at CJ’s Snack Shack; Randy Jay, air compressor; Debbie Johnson and Megan Forsyth each won gift baskets. Garth Ventor won $145 in a mystery card game in which all 52 cards were face down on a board; after purchase you sign your name on a card and when the two of hearts was revealed, the person who signed that card won the money. Splashpark volunteers barbecued wieners for the afternoon but Shelly Mom’s cooked and served a pork on a bun meal for the supper hours. Several people milled around in the afternoon but by supper time, most headed home so the chairs and picnic tables were relatively empty. With no more musical acts lined up, Tad and crew began tearing down the tent and equipment. Splashpark president Barb Plewes says “We appreciate the support from the people that helped to make our fundraiser day a success!” The committee collected more than $3,600 that day through the donation bucket, flea table rent, raffles and food sales.
Photos by Sheila Runions
The kids car wash (top photo) and water gun game were popular activities at the Band Blast. In the bottom picture two girls work together to squirt the red cup along a string from beginning to end.