Music at The Gap raises funds at new venue

By LYNETTE SOWELL

Cove Leader-Press

 

The sounds of bluegrass and country filled the Copperas Cove Civic Center for the 2016 Music at the Gap.

 

The fundraiser benefiting the Copperas Cove Boys & Girls Club was supported by local business sponsors including the Noon Exchange Club which donated $5,000, MAKS Family Fun Center which donated $1,500, as well as sponsorships of $1,000 each from the Optimist Club and Clear Creek Meadows Apartments, also with the help of the City of Copperas Cove via hotel occupancy tax funding.

 

In total after expenses, Boys & Girls Club president of the board Mike Blount said the night will have raised approximately $15,000 via sponsorships along with ticket sales, a raffle and a silent auction held Saturday night.

 

With the return of the event in 2014, the setting of the annual night of music had been Ogletree Gap in June, but with the calendar change to August, the decision was also made by the event committee to move the event indoors to the civic center.

 

Several groups in the community came alongside the Boys & Girls Club board to hold the event, to include the Noon Exchange Club of Copperas Cove.

 

Big Daddy’s Barbecue catered the barbecue meal, with brisket and chicken along with beans, potato salad, coleslaw and the requisite side items like onions, pickles and bread, served up with sweet and unsweetened tea.

 

With the purchase of a commemorative glass for $10, diners received three tickets for free drinks to include an assortment of soda, beer and wine.

 

Several couples hopped onto the dance floor and took a few turns while everyone listened to the classic and modern country tunes performed by Austin-area band, The Catfish Daniels Band.

 

Blount said the event will likely remain indoors next year with the same format, although no longer officially at the place known as “the Gap.”

 

“Everyone knows it as Music at the Gap, and that’s what our trademark is, so we’re not going to change that.”