Hoedown sets new record

H’wick fire department fundraiser nets $19K

The eighth annual Howardwick Hoedown raised more than $19,000 for the City of Howardwick Volunteer Fire Department Saturday in McMorries Memorial Park.

Planned activities and fundraisers for the day generated $14,396.59 for the department, which by itself exceeded last year’s total by just under $5,000, but then an unexpected gift pushed the total even higher.

The Panhandle Boat & Ski Club presented a $5,000 check to the City of Howardwick Volunteer Fire Department for their work fighting the Corner Pocket Fire earlier this year. Fire Chief Jacob Hodge said the gift was unexpected but very much appreciated.

City Secretary Sandy Childress said this year’s Hoedown was an incredible event for the community and the fire department.

“As predicted, this was the best one ever,” Childress said. “We had so many awesome raffle items donated this year, it made the raffle ticket sales go way up. And it’s so great to see the community together enjoying the event.”

Howardwick firefighters also had another surprise at the Hoedown. The Chris Britten family and the Whistle-Stop presented envelopes with checks to each individual firefighter in personal appreciation of their hard work and service.

Childress also said that a mechanical bull was a new addittion this year to the Hoedown and that it will be making a comeback next year.

There were several raffle and special contest winners during this year’s Hoedown.

Jeff Wilkinson won the grand prize raffle – a Llama electric utility truck, and Lisa Heald was the winner of the mini golf cart.

The Putting Contest winners this year were Sherrol Johnson, first; Koby Dunham, second; and Joe Batts, third.

Kelly Dodge was the winner of the second annual poker run.