The 11th annual Florida Cracker Hoedown to benefit Indian River Habitat for Humanity last Saturday night had everything a country barn dance should have. Roughly 325 cowpokes kicked up their heels and two-stepped to the band Dreamer, chowed down on barbecue prepared by Elizabeth D. Kennedy Catering and bent an elbow to wash it all down at the Sun Aviation hangar, creatively decorated in barnyard kitsch and bales of hay. Game booths circled the perimeter of the room and the air was filled with crack of a Florida cowboy slicing palm fronds out of guests’ hands with one swipe of his whip.
Easily one of the season’s favorite events, the sold-out crowd relished ditching their formal attire in favor of jeans and western wear, cowboy hats and boots. Reveling in the casual atmosphere, guest relaxed and snacked on hors d’oeuvres before feasting on a country dinner buffet. The light-hearted night of hometown fun provides much needed funds to help build, renovate and repair homes for families and individuals in need.
Habitat future and current homeowners helped out by serving as wait staff, hosts, ushers and game assistants throughout the night; appreciating a fun way to earn the required sweat equity hours needed to complete the program before they can receive keys to their new or renovated home.
“This is just a great night to let our hair down, dance, relax and have fun and fellowship,” said board chair Connie Poppell. “We have many events all year to raise money but this is our signature event and major fundraiser. I am just so proud to see all the people who showed up and supported us tonight.”
“We’re hoping that we will raise over $50,000 tonight after expenses,” said Habitat president/CEO Andy Bowler. “It is sold out, and with our silent auction items, raffles and all the fun games here I think we are going to do it.”
Bowler said he planned to have a little fun and brave a ride on the mechanical bull after fulfilling his hosting and speech making duties, adding with a laugh, “Since I write the check for the bull handlers over there I hope they will be kind to me.”
The design and planning committee did an impressive decorating job, dressing up the tables with bright red cloths, horseshoes and pots of baby daisies, as well as chocolate, cowboy boot-shaped lollipops for each guest.
“We have a fabulous committee that puts all this together with at least 15 to 20 people. You really appreciate that when you realize that at 8 o’clock this morning there used to be three planes in here. We came in with a mass of volunteers and had it set up by lunch time,” Bowler said.
He also stated the importance of having future homeowners work alongside the committee and volunteers, whether at an event or in the construction of the houses.
“That is one of the neat things about Habitat as a charity,” said Bowler. “There are about 182 charities in this community and you can write a check and mail it in. But this is one where you can give a dollar, see the 2-by-4 that your dollar buys and, if you choose, you can also hammer that board and work alongside the young lady or man and be a part of the process all the way through.”
Poppell added that she was grateful to all the people who support their mission to build decent, affordable housing for the low to moderate income individuals in Indian River County.
“Not only do we build homes but we help build lives and help them achieve their dreams,” said Poppell. “I guess you could call this event a dream builder and not just a fundraiser.”
