Inside the big tent on the Polson Fairgrounds Friday night, a sea of western hats and decked-out ladies ebbed and flowed around the dining tables into groups of friends, three silent auction “corrals,” two no-host bars catered by the Perfect Shot Tavern, and the live auction items.

Over the clink of glasses, the hum of conversation and laughter floated the mouth-watering smell of beef roasting. It was the 31st annual Cowboy Ball banquet and auction held by Polson Fairgrounds, Inc.

“It’s the biggest fundraiser we’ve ever had,” said Una Rose Graham, PFI secretary, adding that 500 tickets were purchased for this year’s sold-out event.

“We sure appreciate all the donations, the people who attended, the sponsors, and the volunteers,” she said.

After the social hour, the event moved from a buffet prime-rib dinner to auctioneer Bo Carpenter kidding the crowd and selling live auction items.

Graham said she heard many compliments about the food and the entertainment, and the dance floor was hopping until midnight with popular country band Sho Down providing the tunes.

“The Cowboy Ball is kind of a kick-off to spring. You see people you haven’t seen all winter,” Graham said. “It’s a fun social event.”

The Cowboy Ball is a major fundraiser for the fairgrounds, which PFI leases from Lake County. Proceeds go to improvement, maintenance, and preservation of the fairgrounds. PFI is an all-volunteer outfit and a 501c3 non-profit organization.

Currently PFI and the Lake County Commissioners are working together to get a permanent roof on the amphitheater stage, located next to the Flathead River, so that it's better equipped to house summer concerts and other outdoor events. Plans for future development also call for an events center.

Next on the PFI agenda is the Mission Mountain Rodeo held at the fairgrounds June 23-24.