Pops of guns and occassional bursts of laughter could be heard over steady rain last week at Big Sky Sporting Clays.

Located at 3500 Irvine Flats Road, Big Sky Sporting Clay hosted the 7th Annual Chamber Blast, a fundraiser for the Polson Chamber of Commerce Friday, June 29.

Among the shooters at the range was Cody Grant.

Grant, of the First Interstate Bank team, earned 86 points out of 100, taking home the best overall shooter honor.

“I went to a university (for this) and just graduated,” Grant said, smiling at his accomplishments.

He attended Midland University near Omaha, where he shot for the varsity shotgun team, majoring in business administration.

Grant and teammates Shane Shima and Shad Hupka also took top score for the teams, earning 211 out of a possible 300.

Chamber member David Lewing said that while funds generated by the annual fundraiser aren’t necessarily designated for anything specific, this year proceeds will benefit the July Fourth fireworks show in Polson.

Lewing said that each year, the event raises about $3,500.

This year’s clay shooting event saw 12 teams with 3 people each, shooting at clay targets between 12-14 stations.

Cost for each shooter was $115 or $345 for the team, covering the shells and lunch.

A sponsorship of the event cost $150. Banners of the sponsor name and logo were hung at the stations.

All skill levels are invited to participate, from those who go for fun and won’t hit many of the orange targets, to others who hit most, Lewing said.

For more information on the Polson Chamber of Commerce, visit www.polsonchamber.com or www.facebook.com/polsoncc/