Promoted as “The Biggest Party of the Year,” the Rally in the Valley event raises funds for Clear Fork student-athletes. The Rally, a Clear Fork fundraiser, will be held Saturday, Oct. 18 from 6-11 p.m. at the Darr Event Center in Bellville. The adults, 21 years of age and older, event includes the comedy of Rob Durham, a competition of Team Trivia, and food by the 2014 Best of Mid-Ohio award-winning Smokin’ Bros BBQ of Mansfield.
According to President, Emeritus, of the Athletic Hall of Fame Jerry Marshall, this is the fourth year that the Clear Fork Valley Athletic Hall of Fame (CFVAHOF) and the Clear Fork Athletic Boosters have combined resources for the event, and this is the second year that the event will be held at Darr Event Center, located at 5780 State Route 13 south of Bellville. The event generates funds for both organizations, the Hall of Fame and Athletic Booster.
“Although the Rally was developed to help generate funds for our athletic programs, it has evolved into a ‘regional party.’ The entertainment alone has generated an appeal to many from the greater Mansfield area. With this year’s program, adult gaming, outstanding BBQ and the addition of Robbie Durham, we anticipate that to continue,” stated Marshall.
The main event features Rob Durham, a local man who graduated from The Ohio State University and is teaches school in St. Louis. His “other profession” is as an on-stage comedian; he has been extremely successful and has appeared in locations throughout the midwest. Rob has been a “head-liner” for many performances and will top off the evening’s entertainment at the rally.
The Rally in the Valley will bring back activities that were the most popular for the previous three rallies: the outrageous Heads or Tails Games; an increase from two to three separate reverse raffles, and four races similar to the “Night at the Races” events that the organizations have held.
Marshall explained that although the Rally in the Valley event raises funds equally shared by the two organizations, the Athletic Boosters “by far have the greater needs.” Last year, some of the proceeds were directed to 12 academic scholarships to scholar-athletes, the purchase of range finders for the boys and girls golf teams, football field lawn care, soccer field lawn care, payment on loan for the construction of the track, feeding teams, paying for coaching clinics, concession stand upgrades, and more.
“The Hall of Fame has minimal needs. For this reason we are happy to take a much smaller percentage of the profits,” said Marshall. The Hall of Fame’s portion of the proceeds are used for the maintenance and upgrade of the actual Wall of Fame (75 feet long 15 feet high), which is located at Clear Fork High School; the fee for the Digital Signage service of the TV on the Wall; the expenses of the Hall of Fame Classic Weekend, which includes the purchase of plaques, building rental for the induction and the food for the induction reception.
“Raising the much-needed funds for our programs is only half of what we are doing at the Rally, the other half is having fun,” Marshall added.
Doors open at 6 p.m. on Oct. 18 for guests 21 years old and older, and admission is $10.
