(rshsdepot) Billings, MT

["Jim Dent" <james.dent_@_itochu.com>]

=46rom The Billings Gazette...

Depot Days set for July 27, 28

By CHRISTENE MEYERS
Gazette Arts & Entertainment Editor

The newly restored Baggage Room will be the frontispiece of Billings=92 f=
ourth
annual Depot Days, and a full slate of activities will unfold during the
two-day event, July 27 and 28.

Depot Days is designed to raise both funds and awareness for the historic
block on Montana Avenue. It kicks off with an opening dinner and wine and
beer reception to be staged as the inaugural event in the refurbished
Baggage Room.

The weekend also includes a nightclub stroll, auction, barbecue competiti=
on,
musical activities, a sidewalk chalk-art fest, flea market, art show and
sculpture contest.

=93We really need to get some handle now on how many people to expect for=
 each
of the various activities,=94 says Sandra Hawke, a member of the Billings
Depot board of directors and co-owner of the Depot Antique Mall.

=93If we see potential for a good crowd, we=92ll obtain a street closure,=
 which
would really be fun. So we=92re asking people to reserve and get their na=
mes
in now.=94

Avista Communications is again presenting the two-day event, hoping to ra=
ise
operating funds for the Depot. Last year, the event raised more than $40,=
000
to continue operations and restoration efforts.

The Depot is the crown jewel in the Montana Avenue historic-district
restoration and renovation effort. Toucan Gallery=92s Vicki VanBuskirk ca=
lls
the area =93a vital and colorful part of town; people who haven=92t seen =
it in a
while will be surprised.=94

Depot Days helps promote economic development and revitalization of the a=
rea
by getting people downtown to view art, sample food and enjoy the flowers
and freshness.

Those interested in attending the opening-night dinner, auction and pub
stroll, participating in the Box Car Barbecue competition or being involv=
ed
in the chalk-art festival are asked to get in touch with organizers.

A flea market being organized by Depot Antique Mall is also seeking table
reservations. And those interested in providing entertainment or
volunteering time or resources should also call.

The Box Car Barbecue is a first for Depot Days and is a competition
sanctioned by several regional barbecue societies. It will feature prizes=
,
and winners will be eligible for other major competitions.

The grills fire up Friday night, July 27, and cooking continues the next
day, with winners announced toward the end of the festival.

=93Depot Days combines family fun with a good fund-raising event,=94 Hawk=
e says.
=93How appropriate that it all takes place at the Depot, to celebrate the
region=92s railroad past.=94

Copyright =A9 The Billings Gazette, a division of Lee Enterprises.

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