Each year proceeds from Dig It Days are disbursed to local worthwhile causes in the community – most of all for scholarships for young people planning to enter the building and construction trades. This week some of the proceeds from last year’s event were presented to a number of local organizations.

For Yellowstone Family and Yellowstone County News, who produce the event, Dig It Days is meant to be a time for fun and education. Any revenues generated are donated to organizations which exist to support, in some manner, families in the community.

Dig It Days will be held at Montana Fair on Friday and Saturday, August 16 and 17. Sponsored by dozens of local equipment dealers and contractors and others involved with the construction industry, the event, which is totally free, features all kinds of big equipment and machines for kids to explore – and to even operate a backhoe.

This past week, at a small gathering at RDO Equipment in Billings, a check for $7500 to fund scholarships, was presented to Build Montana, which functions under the auspices of the Montana Contractors Association (MCA). Jonathan McNiven, publisher of the Yellowstone County News, presented the check to Hailee Olsen, Workforce Director for MCA, and Michelle Cohens of Sletten Construction, who is President of the Education Foundation for MCA.

Many members of MCA help sponsor Dig It Days, in addition to providing the static displays and the manpower needed to set them up and monitor them during the two-day event.

Brian Dennis, President and CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of Yellowstone County, was also on hand to accept a check for $3,500.  The Boys and Girls Club provides after-school programs for young people. During Dig It Days they oversee a group of volunteers who apply “tattoos” for the kids, adding to the fun of it all.

Sheriff Mike Linder accepted a check for the Montana Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association for $5000. The Sheriff’s office brings in their helicopter when possible to Dig It Days for kids to inspect and explore. It’s arrival is always a highlight of the event.

Dig It Days also made a donation of $1000 to the Veteran’s Navigation Network.

All activities at Dig It Days, which is held the last two days of Montana Fair, are free; and this year Montana Fair is making entrance to the fair possible by getting free passes from Dig It Days sponsors.

Each day the first 1000 entries to Dig It Days will receive a free t-shirt.

Many static displays of big construction and other kinds of vehicles and equipment are available for kids to “drive,” climb on, inspect, and take pictures on. Also, thanks to the donated time of several sponsors, kids of all ages have the opportunity to operate a real backhoe or excavator.

And of course there is the attraction of Sand Mountain, which kids can dig in and play on to their heart’s content. Sand Mountain always has treasures hidden away for some lucky explorers.

All of this is made possible by Dig It Days sponsors, so please tell them “thank you” when the opportunity presents itself. Some of the sponsors of Dig It Days include:

RDO Equipment Company, NorthWestern Energy, Montana Contractors Association, Montana Equipment Dealers Association, Montana 811 – Call Before You Dig, Yellowstone County News, Big Sky Business Journal, NTEC/Spring Creek Mine, CHS, Inc – Laurel Refinery, Front Range Pipeline LLC, Cenex Pipeline LLC, Tri-State Truck & Equipment, Inc., Billings Construction Supply, Billings Towing, Action Toys, Tractor and Equipment, Montana Tech, (School of Mines and Engineering), Montana State University – Northern, Sletten Construction, Broadreach Power, Modern Machinery, Montana-Dakota Utilities (MDU), WBI Energy, Arnold Machinery, Equipment Share, MT Department of Transportation (MDT), Torgersons/Case IT, Par Montana (Formerly ExxonMobil), Pacific Steel & Recycling, ONEOK, Croell.