There is a new wave of Republicanism sweeping across Chouteau County. Gone are the Lincoln Day dinners traditionally held in Fort Benton. Instead the Republicans decided to have fun and move their main event for the year to Loma (half way between Fort Benton and Big Sandy), have it catered by Ma’s Café known for her Mexican treats and turn it into a Fall Festival of treats just to have fun and meet some new candidates for the United States Senate.
According to Rick Jespersen the Community Hall in Loma is middle ground. It decorated easily and well over a hundred people attended the Fall Festival which was held September 24, 2017
The reason there was no Lincoln Dinner this year is it hit just in the middle of the special House of Representatives election held this spring.
“There are several reasons we decided to have a Fall Festival,” said Jespersen, “We are trying to build the party, introduce candidates that have already decided to run for office, solicit contributions and most of all just have a good time. We were successful in all of those goals.”
There was a silent auction in which items could be bid on throughout the event and a 50/50 raffle which went on during the whole event which lasted from 12:30pm until 3:30. In addition there was a live action in which an EEA 9mm handgun was auctioned off.
Country music and entertainment was provided by Andy Wemmer of Miles City.
Jespersen said that Republicans are now planning on how best to hold big events like the brand new Fall Festival. Maybe they will be held every other year and maybe every year depending on how things go.
“If our main goal was to have everyone have a good time, I think we really accomplished that,” added Jespersen.
