Winter’s Last Blast, hosted by the Warren County Fair Board, had a bittersweet tone this year.The 13th annual event fell just two weeks after one of its board members lost his life in a motorcycle accident. A moment of silence was shared for J.D. Sinclair and an outpouring of support followed for his family at the Wright City Lions Club on Saturday night.At the conclusion of the evening around $12,000 had been raised, including a substantial donation toward Sinclair’s widow and family.Event coordinator Paul Owenby was thrilled with the turnout, as the event once again sold its entire allotment of 249 tickets.“We get a lot of support from the community, and people really enjoy this event,” said Owenby. “Anybody can have a chance to get paid to have a fun night out, so that draws a lot of people.”Throughout the evening a continuous Powerball number drawing is held to either eliminate people or identify winners on the name and number boards. Over the course of the event $12,500 is paid out through 26 prizes.The biggest prize of $5,000 went to Sidetrack Bar and Grill of Pendleton. Half of that money was donated back, with $2,000 going to the Fair Board and $500 to the Sinclair family.“He gave half his money back to support someone else, which was great,” said Owenby. “It really shows the kind of people we’ve got in this community.”The evening included a rib eye and fried chicken dinner, silent auction, raffles and a variety of card games.“You can’t go out to a restaurant and have a nice dinner, a few drinks and a good time for the same cost as you can at this event,” said Owenby. “I think that’s one reason we really draw a lot of the community.”The money raised by the Fair Board helps to pay for operating expenses and facility upgrades at the fairgrounds.“Water and electric bills accumulate year-round and our older facility needs updates,” said Owenby. “We also have to address an electrical failure with the concession stands, so this event helps with those types of operations.”Owenby noted there are additional efforts to support the Sinclair family, including a raffle for an antique tractor that will be given away at the fairgrounds on April 13.Those interested in the raffle can contact Owenby at 636-679-0676.

Trendt Francis, left, rolls the dice on one of the game tables at the Warren County Fair committee’s Winter’s Last Blast March 30. Joining in the fun, from left, are Cassie Francis, Carrie Earl, Jason Nanney and Annie Coleman. The event, held at the Wright City Lions Club, helped raise around $12,000 for Fair operating expenses and other causes. 

Record photo/Derrick Forsythe

Warren County Fair Queen Ana Russell marks a name off the board during the cash drawings held as part of the Fair committee’s Winter’s Last Blast March 30 at the Wright City Lions Club. Around $12,000 was raised for a variety of causes, including a fundraiser for the family of J.D. Sinclair, a Warren County resident recently killed in a vehicle accident, and monies toward helping finance Fair expenses. 

Record photo/Derrick Forsythe