BELLE FOURCHE—Community members gathered at Rail Park in downtown Belle Fourche on July 1 for the Annual Burger Bash hosted by the Belle Fourche FFA chapter. The event offered a chance to enjoy warm summer weather, local shopping and visiting with neighbors.
This event is in its 8th year. “It was first promoted through the Beacon—Doug Cole, eight years ago wanted to host an event trying to get people downtown . . . This year it’s the Belle Fourche Walking History—they’re the sponsor host—we find some sponsors to help offset the cost, and then it’s a free will donation to the public—just an outreach opportunity for the Belle Fourche Chapter,” explained Austin Bishop, Belle Fourche FFA Advisor.
The FFA members worked hard to secure community sponsorships to help with the event. “We talked to quite a few places on Main Street, and then me and my brother went and talked to Ivory Dental in Spearfish and Country Gals Quilting out of Vale they’ve all donated money and sponsored this to help this event happen,” shared Kate Blair, FFA Secretary. “Redwater Meats donated all the beef that we used for the burgers.”
Redwater Meats donated locally raised beef burgers to support the FFA group and the Burger Bash. “We did 200 patties and 40 hot dogs, and there’s not many left,” said Bishop. “We had a very good turnout!”
While there is a free will offering bucket, the event isn’t just about fundraising, but about giving back to the community that supports them in all they do. “It’s more of a community outreach, honestly than a fundraiser (if we raise money) we use it for funds to go to leadership camps. We host a leadership day here at the high school as well, and so it helps kind of offset some of those costs,” explained Bishop. “We actually have eight officers and members at camp right now, and so it just kind of helps offset some of these little camps and opportunities for these students, along with it helps out going to nationals. We had nine qualify for national FFA this year.”
Bishop, in his ninth year as that Belle Fourche FFA Advisor, said they were taking 13 students to Nationals this year. The event is October 19-25 in Indianapolis. “It’s gonna be one of those things where we have opportunity to really showcase our members and what they can do and accomplish—it’s very amazing,” he said.
With 70 active FFA members in the Belle Fourche Chapter, the program is going strong. Bishop credits the youth involved for all the success. “The kids make it easy—last year I was selected for the third time in a row—the Golden Owl District Five, and you know, I honestly don’t know why, because the kids are the ones that do it all, and I just make sure that the wheels on the bus don’t fall off,” he said. “The kids that we have, the students, these young adults, these leaders are awesome!”
Blair, who has been a member for four years, likes what she gets from FFA. “Getting relationships and friendships out of it, meeting new people and networking, while also learning new skills and just being involved in the community,” she said.
FFA offers a variety of opportunities that can fit many different interests. Bishop explained, “The benefit is leadership skills and community involvement. I mean, that’s what truly makes a great citizen, you know, is that kind of leadership qualities and just being involved. It’s crazy because with FFA, there are so many opportunities for an individual to take and go their own route.”
Attendees had their choice between hamburgers and hot dogs along with chips and a cookie. A variety of cold drinks were offered as well.
Bishop is very appreciative of all of the community support that the Chapter receives. “The success we’ve had in the eight years that I’ve been here in Belle Fourche is pretty astronomical with the support we get from the community—it never ceases to amaze me what these kids can do,” he shared.
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