COVID-safe Hi-Line Sportsmen banquet scheduled for Feb. 27

FOR THE COURIER

The Hi-Line Sportsmen will hold their 5th annual banquet on Saturday evening, Feb. 27, at Glasgow’s St. Raphael’s Parish Center gymnasium. Limited numbers of tickets go on sale today, Feb. 5.

 Because COVID restrictions mandate precautions, including limiting attendance and some traditional raffles, this year’s banquet will be smaller in size and more limited in scope than in previous years.

 “As a committee, we had a vigorous debate about whether to hold our traditional banquet at this time,” says Jack Medlicott, Hi-Line Sportsmen president, “but we determined that, with county health department approval, we are capable of conducting a safe, enjoyable event. With the right safeguards, we are excited to be able to give the community a night out in support of conservation.”

 Those safeguards include limiting attendance to 160 people, designating seating with family members and close friends, discouraging interaction between groups, and applying approved sanitation practices. HLS volunteers will require attendees to adhere to CDC guidelines and county health department recommendations.

 Because seating will be limited to 20 tables of 8 people apiece, tickets are capped at 160. Price is $35, which includes admission, a prime-rib dinner with all the fixings, and opportunities to participate in gun raffles and a live auction. Unlike most years, when the banquet features as many as two dozen guns, four guns will be raffled at this year’s event. Other highlights include presentation of Barb Marsh/Mark Jackson Memorial Scholarships. The banquet will include a live auction that will culminate in the auction of this year’s scholarship gun, which will raise funds for next year’s scholars.

 Funds raised at the Feb. 27 banquet will be distributed to the community through Hi-Line Sportsmen’s grants, which fund projects that enhance outdoor recreation, wildlife habitat, landowner-sportsman relations, and community infrastructure.

 For tickets and more banquet details, call or visit with Jenn Jackson (406-263-7339) or Medlicott (425-760-5828) or see Hi-Line Sportsmen’s Facebook page.

 “We hope the community understands our twin interests in holding a fun event and keeping everyone safe,” says Jackson. “But we ask you to do your part. If you are feeling ill, have been in the company of someone who is sick, or are at high risk of COVID, please stay away. Please understand that some of our safeguards will limit activity, but we think we can show the community that we can come together, be healthy, and return to some semblance of normalcy.”