The only thing missing was the Bucking Bronco. Folks gathered Saturday evening for a Southern-style dinner and dance to raise money for the Blenheim Community Park project. Event organizers estimate the Hoe Down in Your Town raised more than $10,000 for the project, which is a collaborative effort between the Blenheim Beautification Committee, the Ridge Landfill Trust Fund and the Rotary Club of Blenheim. BBC member Sue Birtch said the event, which was held at Smith and Wilson Estate Winery, was a sell out, with 185 people attending. Guests donned their best western wear, and no one could have guessed that so many people in South-Kent owned such an array of cowboy hats, boots and riding chaps. The dinner of Louisiana Cattails, Bruschetta, Peach & Pepper Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette, South Carolina Coleslaw, Double Baked Potatoes with Sweet Potato Mash, Drambuie Cajun Baked Beans, Balsamic Roasted Root Vegetable, Barbeque Beef with Mushroom Gravy, Pulled Pork with Jack Daniels Sauce, fresh Rolls and plenty of delicious desserts, coffee and tea was put together through a joint effort by Bill Taylor of Taygur Catering, Mike Brown of Brownie's Catering, and, Stubby Knights of Blenheim Meats with members of both the BBC and Morpeth Oldtimers Hockey Team pitching in to serve the hungry crowd. No hoe-down would be complete without foot-stompin' southern music, and the organizers were much obliged to Winter Line, a blue grass band from Windsor-Essex. They were followed by the solo guitarist Jay Allan from Bothwell. Birtch said the committee was fortunate to have many local businesses and individuals donate items for the raffle table. The winner of the Buy Local, Buy Fresh arrangement was Murray Knot. The prize included Delhaven apples, Gladstone potatoes, a mum, kale, and tulip bulbs. No Hoe Down is complete without a few contests of skill and stamina. Dirk teWinkel won the male division of the nail hammering contest, finishing it off with six hits. Stacie De Brouwer was the dark horse winner in the female contest, with an astounding 18 hits. The female arm wrastlin' contest was taken by a very intimidating Annie De Brouwer. Great shindig!

Story compliments of the Blenheim News Tribune