LAURINBURG — Tickets can still be purchased for the Outdoorsman Giveaway on Saturday being put on by the Scotland County Firefighters Association.
The event is in its second year and has featured a grand prize of a Ford F-150 crew cab truck and other prizes, such as a Remington 783, Polaris 450, a custom-made grill, cash prizes and more.
The proceeds will be split between the Firefighters Association and the fire departments who are helping out with the event. According to William Skipper, current president of the Firefighters’ Association, last year the event broke even, but due to the community adding suggestions and wanting to help they decided to try the event again.
“Last year’s event was successful in the sense that we had it,” Skipper said. “But we saw ways to improve and people in the community wanted us to do it again so this year we’re back in full force and we already have better ticket sales.”
Last year the event sold around 1,200 tickets — this year the event is already close to 2,000. Skipper says that they’re hoping to sell out and reach the 2,750 ticket goal.
Skipper added that the money that will be given to the fire departments will likely be going to equipment because it’s a large cost to keep the gear up to date; the money going to the Association will go towards the safety house that travels to the local elementary schools.
“It costs money to keep it on the road,” Skipper said. “We’re grateful that the United Way has funded us with the safety house and they’re willing to continue funding us but if we could find a way to pay for it ourselves that would allow them to help another organization. Hopefully one day with this event we’ll be able to donate back to the United Way.”
Skipper added that the tickets will continue to be on sale until the drawing starts on Saturday morning or until they sell out. While you don’t need to be present to win, the $50 raffle ticket will get you in the gate as well as include the food. For those who just want to come out, the tickets are $10 and include food as well.
“Last year we had between 500 to 600 people out at Legion Park having a good time,” Skipper said. “We had a lot of local winners last year … I’d love to see everyone come out and have a good time enjoying the food and music. We’ll have bouncy houses for the kids and the weather is supposed to be beautiful.”
The event is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Legion Park on Adkinson Street. Tickets to be entered for the prizes are $50 and can be bought online and admission tickets will be $10 at the gate.
To buy tickets and find the full list of prizes, go to www.scotlandfire.org.
Reach Katelin Gandee at 910-506-3171 or at kgandee@laurinburgexch.wpenginepowered.com