The Boys & Girls Club of Brown County recently announced the Bellamy Brothers will be returning as the musical talent for this year’s annual Barn Dance, slated for April 29 at 3 Springs Ranch near Zephyr.

“They have performed at the event before, they put on a great show last time and were very well received by the folks at our event,” said Katherine Palmer, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Brown County. “We’re very excited to bring them back this year.”

Along the musical entertainment, the Barn Dance includes dinner, drinks, a live and silent auction, and raffles. Hard 8 Barbecue will cater the event, and Rex Tackett will serve as auctioneer.

Ticket sales will be tables only this year, beginning March 13, and space is limited.

“We are no longer selling individual tickets to the event,” Palmer said. “We are selling tables of eight and we are currently open for sponsorship sales. We will open for individual table purchases on March 13. Any businesses or individuals that would like to secure a sponsorship can reach out and we’ll get that taken care of.”

The Barn Dance has been the signature fundraising event for the Boys & Girls Club of Brown County for more than 20 years.

“Currently the Barn Dance accounts for between 30 and 40 percent of our annual operating budget,” Palmer said. “This really is a huge benefit to us and allows us to keep the doors open and do what we do every year.”

The timing of the Barn Dance just prior to the Boys & Girls Club of Brown County summer programming is vital.

“We go from serving kids for 3 to 4 hours a day to 11 hours a day and that’s a pretty substantial jump in our expenses and everything that goes along with providing care to kids,” Palmer said. “Having the Barn Dance when we do gives us a little bolster before we go into our very expensive months.”

Palmer added the Barn Dance is a crucial component toward keeping costs to families of those with kids at the Boys & Girls Club of Brown County low.

“We only charge $30 per month through the school year and our summer rates vary,” Palmer said. “We’re hoping to lower those as well and stay affordable while providing quality child care to our community at a cost that is reasonable for everyone.”

Scholarships are available to families if the rates are not feasible, another service provided thanks to the Barn Dance.

For scholarship information, contact Palmer at [email protected].