Popular Barn Dance to benefit Future Farmers Fair

‘Blue Jeans & Country Dreams’ event Saturday
The 21st annual Barn Dance & Dinner is underway and organizers said that this year they hope to raise more money for scholarships awarded to local students.
The long-standing tradition of country dancing and dinner brings in money each year to help pay for the Healdsburg Future Farmers Country Fair and scholarships for Healdsburg students pursuing college.
Last year the event raised over $11,000 for the youth in the community involved in the fair to help them pay for fair expenses as well as money for college scholarships. Wine donations, sponsors, and 100 percent volunteer labor keeps the cost of the barn dance low to ensure that ticket sales and auction sales generate money for the cause.
“Our heart is really to raise more money for scholarships for students in our community to pursue education and college and to receive a scholarship it doesn’t mean they have to go into agriculture, they will look at their grades and their involvement in the community,” said Emily McCutchan, volunteer on the Future Farmers Country Fair Board.
With the addition of a live auction, electronic ticket sales, and VIP Reserved Tables last year, the event generated more money than past fundraising efforts. The group of organizers has set a goal this year of $15,000.
Wilson Artisan Wineries has donated the use of their Soda Rock Winery facility to host the event this year allowing attendance to grow.
The same popular crew will be in the kitchen featuring Phil Manoukian and his fair board members and other volunteers serving surf and turf, Brussels sprouts and bread donated by Costeaux Bakery.
Back by popular demand is JD Baumann & the Bootband with live country music and dancing from 8:30-10:30. The fair theme is “Blue Jeans & Country Dreams.”
“It’s time to dust off the stetsen, slip into those wranglers, and polish those boots! Get your toosh over to Soda Rock Winery for a boot scoot’n time with your friends,” McCutchan said.
The silent and live auction will feature items such as local wine packages, special tastings, boxed sets and more. A list of Live Auction items is posted on their website and Facebook page. Bidders can bid by proxy by contacting em*************@gm***.com.
“It is simply giving back to our community because we were greatly impacted as youth through the 4-H and FFA program. Speaking for myself, I have no children but my involvement with 4-H and the local fairs did define my life growing up. Healdsburg was a great place to grow up in the 60’s…and still is,” said McCutchan.
The 21st Annual Barn Dance & Dinner will be held at Soda Rock Winery on Saturday, April 13 from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Tickets for the dinner, auction, live band and no host bar are available at Valero Gas in Healdsburg or on-line at www.BrownPaperTickets.com. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $50.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the 64th Healdsburg Future Farmers Country Fair and Parade on May 23-25.