Sweethogs and Swinehearts, a Jackson Hole Ski Patrol Tradition
February 12th, 2009Sweethogs and Swinehearts, a Jackson Hole Ski Patrol Tradition
By, Julie Sexton
Typically held between Groundhogs Day and Valentine’s Day, the Sweethogs and Swinehearts Ball is a Jackson Hole Ski Patrol tradition not to be missed. This year marked the even’ts 25th anniversary, and a $20 donation was your guarantee to an evening of fun, friends, swine-inspired costumes and dancing. This annual tradition raises money for ‘Bernies Boom Boom Room’ to distribute to other local non-profits such as the Bridger-Teton National Avalanche Forecast Center, The Snake River Fund, Friends of Pathways, and many other great causes local to the Jackson Hole area.
-
- Marc Longfield on the keyboard
-
- Mandatory Air
-
- Justin Smith on the guitar
-
- Costumed Partygoers
-
- Set-break dance contest
-
- Another decked-out partygoer
The crowd of sweethogs and swinehearts gathered at the world famous Mangy Moose Saloon earlier this week, and were entertained with music by local band Mandatory Air. The 8-member ensemble raged the stage for two long sets with cover tunes originally performed by Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin, The Grateful Dead, and many others. During set break, the Ski Patrol invited costume party-goers on stage for a dance contest and raffle drawing for the chance to win two roundtrip airline tickets.
The 25th anniversary fundraiser ball attracted over 500 ’sweethogs’ and ’swinehearts’ and brought a lot of fun to the quiet little valley of Jackson Hole. Until next year, oink!