With a fierce determination to avoid the fate of “being another small town that goes under,” Lane resident Ed Gray’s focus is on improvement and progress when it comes to the Jerauld County town of 51 people. One way he aims to achieve a bright future for Lane is through “Leap to Lane,” a fundraising event that drew over 400 people to the small community on Saturday.
The second annual actionpacked event featuring a car show, challenges between area fire departments, live music from Mogen’s Heroes and the 1270’s, food trucks, beer garden, chili cook-off and a cornhole tournament, helped raise funds for the community’s non-profit improvement organization that takes aim at beautifying the town. Projects in the pipeline are installing concrete in the town’s maintenance shed, updating the community center and overall clean up around Lane.
“With so many small, rural towns crumbling, we need to take pride in where we live,” Gray, who also serves on the town council said. “And with the support we received for Leap to Lane from area farmers, sponsors and people from surrounding communities, it’s clear that they want to see us succeed too.”
Gray said event attendance also told the story of folks wanting to see a vibrant Lane, with between 400-500 people, 24 cornhole teams and 40 car show entrants. In the event’s 50- 50 drawing, Jim Burg won $350 and donated it back to the Leap to Lane fund, with the other half of the pot going to area fire departments. Gray added that Ray Polfus from Alpena won the gun raffle drawing.
Car show results
Ken and Jan Tschetter took home the People’s Choice Award, also winning the 41-60 class with their ‘54 Mercury Monterey. Rod Harmon won the 21-40 class with his ‘39 Nash Ambassador and Doug and Jill McHugh took home first prize in the 61-80 class with their ‘69 Chevy Chevelle SS. In the 1981 to present class, Kelly Larson and his ‘88 Ford Bronco struck gold.
Cornhole tournament results
Brendan and Leon Adela won first with a purse of $400; second place went to Zach Reid and Trevor Ferguson with $250 winnings; third place was won by Bob Brown and Eric Ritter, taking home $100. “I hope everyone had fun and enjoyed Leap to Lane,” he said. “This is an annual event we hope to continue every year as the main driver to raise the funds needed to improve Lane.”