RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – Sloppy joes, homemade pie and a scenic hike up Rapid Creek were all part of the annual Silver City Social, a community tradition that also serves as the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Silver City Volunteer Fire Department.
“This is our big fundraiser for the year,” said Fire Chief Phil Schlief.
The event featured a lunch menu of sloppy joes, baked beans, chips and a pickle, along with more than 50 pies served with ice cream. Organizers also offered root beer floats and ice cream cones throughout the day.
Schlief said he’s been involved with the Social for about 18 years, and the event has been going on even longer, evolving from earlier versions that included a community garage sale.
This year’s event also included a raffle, where attendees could buy tickets and place them in the boot of the specific prize they hoped to win. Among the larger raffle items were jewelry donated by Riddle’s Jewelry in Rapid City and a chainsaw-carved bear from the Dahl Brothers’ Chainsaw Art in Deadwood.
A longtime partner of the Social is the Volksmarch, hosted by the Volks Sports Association. Participants can choose a 5K or 10K hike up Rapid Creek before heading back to Silver City for food and refreshments.
Schlief says the fundraiser has played a key role in supporting the department over the years, especially before the district had a mill levy.
“Up until two years, year and a half ago, we were fully self-supporting,” he said. “Everything we did was through fundraising.”
Now, he said tax revenue is helping the department catch up on needs like firefighter PPE and apparatus updates, including plans to sell an older tender dating back to 1983. The department is also working toward a new station on Highway 385 on the north end of the district.
Even with the mill levy, Schlief says the Social remains important for “all the things that the tax money doesn’t cover.”
Volunteers said the event draws people from well beyond Silver City, including visitors from Wyoming, communities across South Dakota, and nearby towns like Rapid City, Deadwood and Hill City.
Volunteer Kelly Bickett said the Social has become a staple for those who want to support the department and enjoy a meal in the hills.
“You can buy a lunch that includes sloppy joes, beans, chips and then pie and ice cream,” Smith said, adding that guests can also stop by for ice cream or root beer floats.
Volunteer Judy Smith said there are plenty of reasons to make the trip, including raffle items, merchandise and crafts.
Organizers also credited local sponsors for helping keep costs down so more proceeds can go back into the department. Schlief listed support from Dahl’s Chainsaw Art, Riddle’s Jewelry, Wall Meats (discounted hamburger), Three Cousins Pizza in Deadwood (help with sloppy joes), and Sugar Shack (buns and baked goods).
Looking ahead, Schlief says the department’s goal is to keep growing and remain ready for emergencies across its district.
“We just want to continue to grow the department… make sure that we were able to answer the call,” he said. “When we get a fire, when we get a medical, when we get an accident… we just want to be there and be able to help.”
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