Annual Hoedown to raise money for School to Farm Project

A crowd of about 200 attended the Spring Hoedown, a fundraiser for the Montezuma School to Farm Project, last year. This year, the event is April 11 from 5 to 11 p.m. at the Mancos Opera House.

Dust off your dancing shoes and get ready to party for a good cause at the third Annual Spring Hoedown at the Mancos Opera House on Saturday, April 11.

The event will feature local bands such as the Six Dollar String Band, Carute Roma Gypsy Band and Badly Bent.

It runs from 5 to 11 p.m., and tickets cost $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Children 17 and under get in for free. Tickets can be purchased before the event at FB Organics in Cortez, Zuma Natural Foods in Mancos, The Dolores Food Market and Maria's Bookshop in Durango.

"They are really fun bands," said Sarah Syverson, director of the Montezuma School to Farm Project.

Syverson said those that attend are encouraged to wear your Western outfit and encourages families to attend..

"It's definitely a kid-friendly event," she said.

There will also be silent and live auctions, a pie auction and a local-food taco bar.

You can bid on anything from lunch for two at Dunton Hot Springs to chiropractic service for your horse. Also, be on the lookout for the auctioning of a date with farmer Dustin Stein of Stubborn Farm and Burk Beef.

"It's a great, fun night," Syverson said.

Last year, about 200 people attended the event, which netted about $6,000 for the Montezuma School to Farm Project, which operates at schools across Montezuma County.

"The whole thing benefits all Montezuma School to Farm projects," she said. "It's a county-wide affair."

Syverson said they're working on getting the garden program started at Kemper Elementary School in Cortez and eventually want the program at all the elementary schools in Cortez. They are also in the process of getting an aquaponics system in Dolores.

Sponsoring the event this year is First Southwest Bank of Cortez, Cliffrose Garden Center and Gifts and Tierra Madre Herbs.