DURANGO, Colo. – The Durango Daybreak Rotary Club will host a traditional Barn Dance, including an elaborate equestrian show and dinner, Sat., Sept. 13, 2008, 5 – 10 p.m.

The event, to be held at the Weaselskin Equestrian Center, 12995 Hwy 550 South, is the club’s largest annual fundraiser benefiting people locally and throughout the world.

“Our Barn Dance provides us with more than 65 percent of our service budget,” said Brad Tafoya, club president. “It enables us to move from a ‘hands on’ service club with no money, to one that can now support many worthy local and international projects such as, bleachers for the Boys & Girls Club of La Plata County, an orphanage project in Juarez, Mexico, and aids awareness in Lagos, Nigeria. Best part, we can still get our hands dirty and have a lot of fun.”

Evening entertainment will include live music by the Blue Moon Ramblers, country western dancing and lessons presented by Leslie Carlson, a visit from Mysto the Magician, a sand castle contest, an outdoor barbeque, beverages and a cash bar. Attendees will also enjoy an equestrian show featuring demonstrations from the Thurston’s famous Andalusian and Lipizzan stallions. Facilities for the Barn Dance are being donated by Jennifer and William Thurston.

Proceeds raised from the Barn Dance have and continue to help the following community and international projects:

·         Aids awareness project in Lagos Nigeria serving 120 orphans

·         Physical exercise equipment - Juarez Campestre Orphanage Project

·         Bleachers for the Boys & Girls Club of La Plata County

·         Computers and school supplies for Project Amigo Colima, Mexico

·         Funding for the Tijuana Dump Daycare Center

·         Scholarships for the Colvig Wilderness Experience Program

·         Durango Rotaract Club service trip to Ecuador

·         Guide Dogs for the Blind

·         Red Ball Express activities that support other non profit organizations

·         Firewood delivery for the elderly

·         Children’s books for the new Durango Public Library

·         Support of high school foreign exchange students.

Tickets are available at Maria’s Bookshop, South City Market, Southwest Sound, at the door and online at www.durangobarndance.com. Adults are $25; with children 12 and under free.

Durango Daybreak Rotary welcomes financial sponsors and volunteers to help host this event. Sponsors will be acknowledged in advertising and publicity for the event.

For further information about this event or other Durango Daybreak Rotary activities, contact Nancy Wharton at 970.422.4701, nancy@clientfocusedsolutions.com, or visit www.durangobarndance.com.

The mission of The Rotary Foundation is to enable Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through the improvement of health, the support of education, and the alleviation of poverty.

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