Smoking Aces to highlight Search and Rescue fundraiser August 28

Country-rock band The Smoking Aces has announced a joint partnership with the Town of Lovell to host a community-wide fundraiser benefiting the Big Horn County Search and Rescue squad. The outdoor event will take place Friday, Aug. 28, at Armory Park in Lovell starting at 6 p.m. This is a free event, however, donations can be made throughout the evening.

The goal of the fundraiser is to secure vital financial support for the volunteer county Search and Rescue organization. Funds raised during the evening will directly finance specialized rescue equipment, mission operations, critical medical supplies and advanced field training necessary to sustain life-saving operations across the region’s rugged terrain.

“Our volunteer search and rescue teams risk their lives to keep not only our community safe but visitors to our area safe as well,” said organizer Ty Sammons. “We welcome everyone from Lovell and all surrounding communities to join us at Armory Park for an incredible night of music, community spirit and support for these local heroes.”

The evening kicks off at 6 p.m. with singer Jim Vaneck, followed by local favorites Reece May and Miranda Snyder at 7 p.m. The Smoking Aces are set to take the stage at 8 p.m. Alongside musical performances, there will be food and drink vendors, a beer garden and the chance to meet search and rescue members, as well as an opportunity to see some of the equipment that they use to perform rescues.

The band

The Smoking Aces is a band with local roots. All four members were born and raised in the Big Horn Basin. As a group they have been on two national tours with several of the members of the band having been on national and Canadian tours with other musical acts over a 40-year span in the music business. The Smoking Aces provide a high energy show that covers all genres of country music, classic rock, southern rock and original music that has gained the group a following in the area as well as across the United States.

Search and Rescue

The Big Horn County Search and Rescue is a 60-member, all-volunteer emergency team that covers 3,100 square miles of rugged terrain. They rank second in Wyoming in call volumes. With the surge of rescue demands, they are also facing sharp budget cuts from county funding due to property tax cuts. They operate around the clock, every day of the year, responding to natural and man-made emergencies. They donate thousands of hours every year to training, emergency response, equipment maintenance and community awareness.

For more information, contact Wes Mangus, 307-272-0453, or bighorncosar@gmail.com; Jason Beal at Jason.beal@bighorncountywy.gov or Sammons, 307-272-4444, or sammonsexcavation@gmail.com.