CFVH Gala set to take off

PLAINS – Bands and brisket will take center stage at one of the largest events of the year for the hospital. 

The Clark Fork Valley Hospital Foundation’s annual gala will be held at the Fairgrounds Pavilion at the Sanders County Fairgrounds on the evening of June 6.

The foundation gala was planned for earlier in the year but was cancelled due to winter weather conditions, whereupon the CFVH Foundation decided to wait until warmer weather to host the event. 

The public is welcome to attend for an evening including dinner and a show. A brisket dinner will be included, and there will be an old-fashioned pie auction in addition to live entertainment by two Montana bands. 

The dinner is slated to start around 6 p.m., with the bands starting their sets at 6:45 p.m.

The event is expected to run until approximately 9:30 in the evening. 

The two bands playing at the event will be Montana Rose and Tessy Lou and the Shotgun Stars. 

Montana Rose, a quartet, is widely regarded as one of the top Western Americana outfits currently touring after years playing bars and venues throughout the Rocky Mountains. The band’s music rings with authentic Montana sound and should serve as a perfect backdrop to the gala.

Joining Montana Rose will be Tessy Lou and the Shotgun Stars, another outfit whose western style tunes will be on display during the evening. 

Barry Fowler, executive director of the Clark Fork Valley Hospital Foundation, noted both music groups were two great bands. 

The foundation’s gala is entering its third year and is used by the hospital to raise funds for critical projects throughout the healthcare facility. 

“The funds we raise are used to support specific projects in the hospital,” Fowler said. 

The CFVH’s other main fundraiser is a golf tournament in late summer, which also serves to keep the hospital running at full capacity.   Fowler noted the gala is an interesting event to organize for and the foundation has become more comfortable putting on the event after each year. 

Fowler is looking forward to the big evening and thinks it will be quite a draw for the Sanders County community. 

“It’s a great evening with great bands, and I think people will have a really good time,” Fowler said. 

The CFVH uses both the gala and golf tournament to support the needs of the hospital to ensure optimal healthcare for the residents of Sanders County. 

The money raised by both of these events is critical to maintain the quality of local healthcare at the hospital, while working to form a community connection between the facility and the people of the county. 

Last year’s fundraiser earned around $5,000 for the foundation and Fowler hopes there will be a big turnout for the early summer concert and dinner benefit. 

Previous fundraisers have been held during the winter and the change in seasons may be fortuitous for the hospital as the pleasant weather may bring people out in larger numbers for the Friday evening entertainment.  

Tickets are $35 per person.