Friday full of fun and fundraising in Ronan

The smell of beef cooking on the grill wafted through the air Friday as the Ronan Volunteer Fire Department held their Annual Tri-tips Dinner, sponsored by Harvest Foods and several other Ronan businesses.

One person enjoying lunch at the event commented that she had been drawn in by that wonderful aroma as she drove in from Missoula. Others, who visited with friends as they enjoyed their meal, commented on the tasty smoky flavor and the generous portions heaped up by the firefighter crew.

The tri-tips dinner has been a popular summer event at Ronan Harvest Foods for several years and, about two years ago, when the store’s cook left, the RVFD took over the cooking responsibilities to keep the event going. This year’s chefs were Dave Marmon and John Moorhouse, who were backed up by several other volunteers—some of whom appeared to be mostly keeping the cooking area lively and some of whom were dishing up the scrumptious meat.

According to Harvest Foods store manager, Mike Medland, the store donated the potato and macaroni salads and other supplies while several other businesses kicked in on additional needs. RVFD Chief Mark Clary remarked on how wonderfully supportive the Ronan and surrounding community residents were with this event, as they consistently are with other fundraisers and community events. All proceeds will go toward purchasing and maintaining safety equipment for the fire department.

Annual

Crabfest

Seafood lovers descended upon the Ronan City Park Friday evening to partake in the annual Crabfest, sponsored by the Ronan Chamber of Commerce. About 100 advance tickets were sold and scores more were purchased at the door as chamber members and other volunteers prepared and fed 560 pounds of crabs

The tables lining Spring Creek within the park were filled to capacity with crab lovers, most of whom made their way back to the crab tub several times. Cameron Marengo used a giant fish net to haul the crabs from the steamer and place them in the cooling tub while the ladies zapping butter for dipping kept the microwaves in continuous action. Other volunteers served up rolls and salads to complete the meal.

In addition to the fabulous dinner, several businesses and individuals donated items for a silent auction and rubber ducks were sold for a buck apiece to float down Spring Creek from the bridge to the culvert in the duck race. Brandy Chisholm was instrumental in organizing this year’s event and also designed the poster for the festival.

The proceeds from Crabfest 2017 are all earmarked for rehabbing the Ronan Arch. The arch, a gift to the city from the RHS class of 2002 is in need of a major facelift at a cost of tens of thousands of dollars. Because of the high cost for the repairs to the arch, the Chamber has also applied for grants to help support the project and additional donations are being accepted at both Valley Bank and Glacier Bank in Ronan.

Jackpot

Barrel Race

While the rodeo was in action in Polson, Friday evening saw several cowgirls and kids trailered in Ronan to take part in a Jackpot Barrel Race. Some of the ladies competed in events in both locations, taking advantage of the mere 12 miles between the rodeo grounds. During the summer, jackpot barrel races are held in Ronan nearly every week to give the kids practice riding and for some friendly competition for both the kids and the ladies. Racers at this week’s event ranged in age from 3 to the “well experienced.”