<\/p>\n
Break out your best cowboy hat. A wild, wild West casino night is planned for the 33rd annual Millwood Junction Follies.<\/p>\n
Last year, the community raised almost $7,000 for Mancos Pay it Forward Fund, and this year, the follies will again benefit the community fund.<\/p>\n
This fund helps pay non-medical expenses such as childcare, rent, gas, utilities and groceries for those in the community who may be going through a personal crisis.<\/p>\n
One of the first beneficiaries of the fund, Barbara Welch was pleased to see that the follies would benefit the follies again.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s just a great nonprofit that helps individuals in the community pay their bills,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Welch lost her leg about two years ago after she was pinned between her running vehicle and a cattle gate for more than six hours.<\/p>\n
The fund was able to help her pay her bills much more immediately than state programs.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a tremendous help for me to be able to get that,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Part of the earnings from the event will also benefit high school students traveling to Spain for 11 days over spring break.<\/p>\n
The trip is going to be lead by April Willbanks, the high school math teacher because the Spanish language teacher was unavailable.<\/p>\n
The group hopes to raise about $1,000 to help cover the students meals and tips for the tour guides.<\/p>\n
Over the years, the follies have benefitted many other local efforts including local theater, the Mancos Valley Chorus and the Mancos library among many others.<\/p>\n
The acts have also spanned a huge range from comedy to bagpipes.<\/p>\n
The organizers never reveal the exact line-up, but they promise a boisterous evening that generally packs the Millwood.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have several new acts, old favorites and many surprises in store,\u201d Dana Weaver and Patricia Burk promised in news release.<\/p>\n
The doors open at 4 p.m. on March 5 at the Millwood, and the show starts at 7:30 p.m.<\/p>\n
No reservations are accepted.<\/p>\n