The ever so popular CASA Ice Cream Social once again came to life this past weekend at the Sanders County Fairgrounds.

The popular local Court Appointed Special Advocates fundraiser moved locations this year from the Plains Pool park, and with plenty of ice cream on hand, locals brought chairs and sat on the green to enjoy a night of socializing and music.

This year, Greg Barton was accompanied by Polly Cavill — filling the air with plenty of great tunes for everyone to enjoy.

Once again there were games for the kiddos as Plains High School student Adam Aguilera took the reins and kept the kids entertained with games, such as corn hole, and sharks and minnows.

Event organizer Peg McCarthy was anticipating another great turnout to the annual event, which is one of three that are held by the CASA organization each year.

“We aim to raise around $6,000 each year to keep us running to help kids in need,” said McCarthy. “With the silent auction, and donations people make we hope we can raise around two-thousand for this event.” Other than the Chili Festival they hold early within the year, the funds are to help those advocates that on average work 10 hours per case each month. In some instances, advocates can work up to two or three cases within the month.

As was the case last year, McCarthy said there are around 10 children that CASA is aiding within Sanders County.

Local ice cream parlor Ripples once again donated the cool treat, giving the event around five gallons to serve.

ANOTHER ADDED feature this year was that of Haylee Barkley of Baker, Mont., bringing in some face paints to decorate the little faces that joined in on the night.

Barkley had been in town as part of an internship program with the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS).

“I was approached after church one weekend and already had the paints with me, so I thought I would help out,” said Barkley.

“We see lots of people coming down supporting the free event and find that people are happy to give us a small donation to keep the program running,” said McCarthy.

Under the summer afternoon sunshine, this years CASA ice cream social was seen to be the event to be at to kick off the month of August in Plains.