STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK
Channel your John Wayne or Calamity Jane and pony up for the 31st Annual Cowboy Ball.
Swiftsure Ranch’s Annual Cowboy Ball, presented by D.L. Evans Bank, will be held Thursday, July 14, at the 191-acre ranch south of Bellevue.
The fun begins at 5:30 p.m. and will include old Western toasts, some boot stomping line dancing, a live auction, paddle up and silent auction. MFT BBQ of Boise will serve up the grub at 6:30 p.m.
The ball will pay tribute to vintage Western movies so wear your western duds from when you starred in Clint Eastwood’s “Pale Rider” filmed in the Boulder Mountains. Or, don your Wild Bill Hickok special.
Supporters may also tune in virtually to bid on auction items or paddle up from their living rooms. Free livestreaming will start at 7 p.m. at https://Swiftsureranch.org/CB2022. The online auction runs through July 17 at https://Swiftsureranch.org/CB2022.
The fundraiser benefits the ranch’s equine therapy program, which provides free services to about 120 children and adults with physical, mental and social challenges. In addition, the ranch serves local schools and organizations like Syringa Mountain School, Wood River High School, Higher Ground and NAMI.
“The need is greater than ever,” said Paul Bennett, the ranch’s executive director. “We’re working hard to expand our programming so we can serve everyone in need from individuals with physical challenges and veterans with PTSD to those who suffer from mental illness and kids who are abused or bullied at school. We want to do everything we can to improve their lives.”
Tickets are $150, available at https://Swiftsureranch.org/CB2022.