Festivities to include beanbag tourney, silent auction, pink shoe walk by firefighters

Rose Creek will host the first, official rural “Paint the Town Pink” festivities on Saturday in support of The Hormel Institute’s world-renowned breast cancer research.

Starting at 1:30 p.m., the Rose Creek Fire Hall will host a beanbag tournament – cost is $20 per team – followed by various “pink” festivities at The Creek Bar and Grill, located along Minnesota Highway 56 in Rose Creek. The Creek will have a silent auction running from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. along with breast cancer items for sale, meat raffles, free snacks and more.

At 7 p.m., The Creek will host the first “Pink Shoe Walk” featuring Rose Creek fire department members wearing pink high-heel shoes until each raises at least $25 in donations. People are encouraged to wear pink for all events Saturday.

“We are excited for Rose Creek to turn pink in support of The Hormel Institute’s breast cancer research,” said Wendy Landherr, one of the main organizers. “It’s going to be great day for a great cause.”

On display Saturday also will be a pink demolition derby car to be driven by the winner of an ongoing raffle for the opportunity to drive that vehicle in the first “Smashing Cancer” demolition derby Sunday, Feb. 16, at the Mower County Fairgrounds. The Mower County Fair Board is leading that new PTTP event.

Along with Landherr, the Rose Creek “Paint the Town Pink” fundraising efforts are being organized by the City of Rose Creek, The Creek Bar and Grill, and the Rose Creek Fire Department.

PTTP fundraising has expanded this year beyond the city of Austin. The city of Brownsdale also is planning “Paint the Town Pink” festivities for the following weekend from Feb. 7-9.

Austin’s PTTP festivities officially are set for Feb. 14-23, although some events are occurring earlier. The festival’s cornerstone event is the Austin Bruins’ “Paint the Rink Pink” hockey game set for Feb. 22.

In 2013, “Paint the Town Pink” raised more than $115,000 for The Hormel Institute’s breast cancer research, topping a goal of $100,000. This year’s goal is to raise at least $150,000 for breast cancer research.

All PTTP event details are online at The Hormel Institute’s website:  www.hi.umn.edu/pttp .

Details also are available on PTTP’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/austinpttp

For more information or to add an event, contact PTTP director Kathi Finley at 507-460-0259 or GoPTTP@gmail.com.