Dakotas Patio Party March 9

Steve Perkins

North Dakotans and South Dakotans and friends from Sun Lakes, SunBird, and surrounding areas are all invited to the annual North and South Dakota Party held Thursday, March 9, at the San Tan Ballroom, Cottonwood Country Club, in Sun Lakes. Make sure you put it on your calendar. It’s a 40-plus year tradition! Get registered now before the tickets sell out (just kidding), but it is advance tickets only. Purchase deadline is March 1.

Last year attendance was down a little, as we were still dealing with the darn virus. Now, with vaccinations and natural immunity, it is manageable for most everyone. So, this year, we are planning a real hoedown big party celebration, just like a good ol’ Dakota rodeo.

First, if you are not getting our emails, you just “gotta” get on our Dakotas party list. You just aren’t from Dakota if you are not on our list. You get on the list by emailing (preferred) or calling us at the contact information below. Everyone on the list from last year continues. Second, get registered. We have emailed out the registration forms with all the details, but there’s still time if you act “pronto.”

The 2023 party, even though indoors, will still be a casual format, much like our previous outside patio party. No excuses for wimps who think it might be too cold or rainy. The show will go on, even if it is blizzarding back home—time to break our all-time 2020 record of 174. We again have our event sponsor, Dakota-based Western State Bank, with branches here in Arizona. Thank you, Western State Bank. We will have nice door prizes and lots of fun.

Even if you cannot come, make sure you are on our annual party list so we can keep you up to date about the party. Please spread the word. To save money, we are only doing email mailings, so please make sure all your Dakota friends know about the party. We need your help! Please don’t assume everyone knows about it. Spread the word faster than Grandma’s country party line phone.

The cost is $20 per person (doggone inflation) and includes the buffet dinner. The event will be from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., on Thursday, March 9. Tickets must be purchased in advance by March 1. It’s a cash bar. Grandpa said he ain’t buying no booze. The last time he did, it was at Millie’s weddin’, and it almost broke him. Come on, get registered, and we will see you at the party.

For more information, to get on our list, and/or to make reservations, contact [email protected] (email preferred) or call Marianne Perkins at 507-227-2099, or Steve Perkins at 507-920-3532.

Nebraska State Dinner

The annual Sun Lakes Nebraska State Dinner will be held Saturday, Feb. 25, at the Cottonwood Country Club San Tan Ballroom.

The no-host cash bar opens at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. The cost is $40 per person with a choice of prime rib or shrimp scampi, and the deadline to purchase tickets is Saturday, Feb. 11.

Reservation forms for those on our mailing list will be sent out by the end of January. If you are new to the area, have a change of address, have never been, or have questions, contact Don Teusaw at 402-659-2410.

This is your opportunity to meet fellow Nebraskans, enjoy great food, and participate in raffle drawings and a silent auction!

Spread the word!