COEUR d'ALENE - Dazzling belt buckles, line-dancing, a mechanical bull and fancy western wear were all part of the merriment Friday night during the North Idaho Fair and Rodeo Foundation's third annual Cowboy Ball at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds.

A wide-brimmed cowboy hat sat atop Nate Caldwell's head as he stepped out of the Jacklin Building to join his friend, Adam Grenda, in the cool evening air. This was Caldwell's second Cowboy Ball, an event where he enjoys "the atmosphere, the people dancing ... and some fun competitions," he said.

Caldwell, of Post Falls, and Grenda, of Cheney, agreed the camaraderie of the attendees makes it easy to have a ball at the Ball.

"Even if (you) have never met somebody before, immediately, you leave here, you're best friends with somebody," Caldwell said. "Everybody in here is just nice."

Caldwell and Grenda were two of about 650 guests who kicked up their heels and tipped their hats during an evening to raise money for the North Idaho Fair Foundation. The Cowboy Ball, which brought in about $70,000 in the last two years, is a fundraiser for capital improvements to the Kootenai County Fairgrounds, and provides educational scholarships for graduating high-school seniors in the area.

Miss North Idaho Fair and Rodeo Queen Jessica Norlander of Athol welcomed guests as they walked the red carpet into the country-themed building.

"This is my place, so I wanted to help out with the fundraiser," she said. "There's a lot of dancing and you just meet a lot of people. Everyone's friendly."

Kim Edmondson, chair of the Cowboy Ball committee, said the event stems from cowboy balls held 25 years ago at Bass Western Wear, which used to be near the fairgrounds. The event is a natural choice for the Fair Foundation, and Edmondson said it really is a family reunion.

"It's an opportunity for the people who find the fairgrounds important to come and celebrate," she said. "There's a crowd here that just wants to come and dance, there's a crowd that wants to support the fair and there's a hungry crowd that wants to come eat Texas Roadhouse. It's a fun event, and that's the greatest draw."

The evening included live music by Kelly Hughes Band, dance lessons, a "Best Western Dressed" contest, live and silent auctions, dinner and refreshments as well as a kickin' good time.

"It's along the same lines as Car d'Lane," Caldwell said. "Anybody can come out and it's always fun."