LOVELL — Country-rock band Smoking Aces is joining with the town of Lovell to host a community-wide fundraiser benefiting the Big Horn County Search and Rescue. The outdoor event will take place Friday, Aug. 28, 2026 at Armory Park in Lovell with the event starting at 6 p.m. This is a free event, however donations can be made throughout the evening.

The initiative of this fundraiser is to secure vital financial support for the volunteer run county search and rescue organization. Funds raised during the evening will directly finance specialized rescue equipment, mission operations, critical medical supplies, and advanced field training necessary to sustain life-saving operations across the regions rugged terrain.

“Our volunteer search and rescue teams risk their lives to keep not only our community safe, but visitors to our area safe as well,” says one of the event organizers. “We welcome everyone from Lovell and all surrounding communities to join us at Armory Park for an incredible night of music, community spirit, and support for these local heroes.”

The evening kicks off at 6 p.m. with singer Jim Vanek, followed by local favorites Reece May and Miranda Snyder at 7 p.m. The Smoking Aces are set to take the stage at 8 p.m. Alongside musical performances, there will be food and drink vendors, a beer garden, and the chance to meet search and rescue members as well as an opportunity to see some of the equipment that they use to perform rescues.

About the Smoking Aces

The Smoking Aces are a band with local roots. All four members were born and raised in the Big Horn Basin. As a collective they have been on two national tours with several of the members of the band having been on national and Canadian tours with other musical acts over a 40 year span in the music business. The Smoking Aces provide a high energy show that covers all genres of country music, classic rock, southern rock and original music that has gained the group a following in the area as well as across the United States.

About Big Horn County Search and Rescue

The Big Horn County Search and Rescue is a 60 member all-volunteer emergency team that covers 3,100 square miles of rugged terrain. They rank second in Wyoming with call volumes. With the surge of rescue demands, they are also facing sharp budget cuts from county funding due to property tax cuts. 

They operate around the clock, every day of the year responding to natural and man made emergencies. They donate thousands of hours every year to training, emergency response, equipment maintenance and community awareness.