By Lisa Scott | Pagosa Springs Rotary Club
Back in the day, when ranchers and cowboys wrapped up haying and moving cattle to market or warmer climates, the hard work was behind them and they wanted to kick up their heels, socialize and party hardy with their neighbors. The barn dance was born.
The Pagosa Rotary Club is hosting the eighth annual Jewels and Jeans Barn Dance the evening of Saturday, Oct. 7, from 7 to 10 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.) at the Archuleta County Colorado State University Extension building.
Tickets are $30 per person in advance and $35 at the door and can be purchased at Choke Cherry Tree, Happy Trails or from any noon Rotarian.
A chuckwagon dinner is being prepared by Rotarian and chef Greg Langford and includes grilled orange chipotle chicken, homemade potato salad, coleslaw, baked beans and cookies. The meal ticket can be purchased at the event for $15. A cash saloon with a variety of libations will be available and arranged by Rotarians Ronnie Doctor and Granton Bartz.
Local favorite country crooner Tim Sullivan and his band will be the live band playing boot-scootin’ country music for line dancing and your favorite swing moves.
Along with the music, there will be a silent auction. Rotarians Lassie Olin and Jo Bridges will display the 59 items generously donated by local businesses. Items include Wolf Creek Ski tickets, beauty baskets, home décor, jewelry, massages, restaurant certificates and much, much more.
Dig out your finest western wear as there will be a contest for sexiest cowboy and cowgirl. You can take a break from the fabulous western décor — orchestrated by Rotarians Pat Love, Art Benzel, Ken and Jeanette Beesley, and Shellie Peterson — and take a horse-drawn wagon ride outside of the building.
Many Rotarians make light work and that is the case for planning and executing this beloved annual event. Under the leadership of Kim Moore, many Rotarians have assumed committee leadership positions and will be lending a hand throughout the evening to ensure a good time is had by all.
Rotary, being Pagosa’s largest service-oriented nonprofit club, is dedicated to bettering our community, our nation and our world. Locally, Rotarians direct the Feed the Children backpack program, annually gift color dictionaries to all third-grade students, host foreign exchange students from all over the world plus send our local students to other countries, and help the town manage the largest attended event in Pagosa, the Fourth of July Parade.
The local club also provides funds and time to support international projects in developing nations for cleaner water, medical facilities and education, and are part of the worldwide Rotarian endeavor to eradicate polio. Rotarians are volunteers whose motto is “Service Above Self.”
So, Pagosa, here is a chance to dance a little, socialize a lot and give to our youth, knowing that you will be a part in making a difference in someone’s life. To learn more about the Pagosa Rotary Club or if you’re interested in becoming a member, visit https://pagosaspringsrotary.org.
If you love country music, the two-step and line dancing, then you won’t want to miss Pagosa Springs Rotary’s eighth annual Jeans and Jewels Barn Dance.
