Rednecks raise funds for TCCIA

The Lakeside Resort's convention room was full of camouflage and blacked-out teeth Saturday night as the rednecks gathered to celebrate their heritage and raise money for the Trout Creek Community Improvement Association (TCCIA).

The fifth annual Cabin Fever Redneck Ball kicked off Saturday evening with Dave and Deb Oliver taking the stage as "Thelma Lou and Billy Ray." The duo led the crowd of about 150 people in the Redneck Oath and starting off the entertaining with actual Billy Ray Cyrus songs, including "Achy Breaky Heart." Billy Ray endured a small wardrobe malfunction as his fake moustache fell off during his performance, garnering laughs and heckles from the crowd. Billy Ray was able to compose himself and finish his set. Bill Ray came back later in the show with his moustache intact, thanks to some handy black electrical tape. No worries, though, as Billy Ray's mullet was secure the entire show.

Also back this year for entertainment were the "Tammy WhyNotts." When they explained how they both became named Tammy, they stated their mother said, "why not?" The ladies (Jennifer Strine and Chris Magdalene) kept their songs in the redneck theme, with selections including "It's Alright To Be A Redneck" and "We Like Beer."

The Olivers came out for a second set as "Granny and Jethro," who said they were from Belknap. Jethro played a redneck "guitoilet" that consisted of a toilet seat secured to a guitar and a roll of "sheet music" toilet paper attached. Jethro then opened his shirt to reveal his "18-pack abs," which was an emptry beer barton.

Las Vegas Don Manning served as the master of ceremonies and Colonel Kevin Hill was again the auctioneer for the event. TCCIA puts on a "backward auction," which keeps bidders guessing for what items they will receive. For example, one auction item started with a hand air pump. After taking a few bids, Hill added a bike lock, and finally, a mountain bike was revealed as the main auction item. The backward auction also included chain saws and a barbecue grill.

As is tradition at the event, the best dressed rednecks competed for the top prizes in the costume contest. Kristie Brown won the prize for the best-dressed woman, sporting a tin can beverage holder and a "redneck Yeti" cooler (a Styrofoam cooler). Josh Ekberg of Trout Creek won best-dressed man, beating out several contestants with mullets. Jean Manning with TCCIA said that a lot more attendees dressed up this year, and she said the attendance was great. "That's why we call it the Cabin Fever Redneck Ball," Manning said. "People are ready for winter to be over and to get out of the house."

Manning said TCCIA the group raised just less than $12,000. She said that while the total raise was lower than previous years, primarily due to the winter weather experienced in the area, "that's $12,000 going back into the community that wasn't there before."