RUMFORD — Fundraising efforts for Black Mountain of Maine will continue Friday, Nov. 1, when the Tinpanic Steel Drum Band performs at the lodge for the first time in several years, according to marketing director Paige Carter.
The event is from 7 to 9 p.m. and tickets are $10. They may be purchased at Davis Florist, Adley Auto Sales, Bartash Card and Gift and Hair Design, or by calling the Black Mountain Lodge.
Carter said it’s the first time in about six years that the Tinpanic Steel Drum Band has played at the Black Mountain ski lodge.
“From what I’ve heard, they’re pretty popular around here, so it should be a good time,” Carter said.
According to a news release by Black Mountain, the Tinpanic Steel Drum Band is a 10-piece steel drum orchestra known for its high-energy calypso rhythms and big-band sounds.
The concert is one of many fundraising events by Black Mountain of Maine this year.
On June 11, voters defeated an initiated article that requested $51,000 to fund the resort as a recreational resource. The money was to help carry the ski area through the summer, get it ready for winter and pay wages for three employees.
Since the vote, ownership changed from the Maine Winter Sports Center to the Black Mountain Ski Resort Board of Directors. Fundraisers have included bottle drives, 5K runs, a published book on the history of Black Mountain and a series of drives on fundraising websites.
“The fundraising committee has really done an amazing job in putting all of this together,” Carter said. “We’re still getting people calling us from as far away as California telling us that they want to donate money. I think people recognize the value of a community ski slope in the area.”
Due to the fundraising efforts, Carter said that Black Mountain will have a few new features to display on their tentative opening date of Dec. 21.
“We’re going to have a couple more snow guns, which is exciting,” Carter said. “We’ll also have a warm-up shack at the top, so people can get a view of the mountain and warm up if they have to.”
Refreshments and appetizers will be served from 6 to 7 p.m.
For more information on the concert or to buy a ticket, call Black Mountain at 364-8977.
mdaigle@sunjournal.com
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