Saturday, Aug. 24, at Sacred Heart Parish Hall, the Rosebush Manor fundraising committee will hold its “First Ever Rosebush Manor Tractor Derby” modeled after the Tractor Race fundraiser held by the Gratiot County Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Twenty-four wooden cut out tractors will race down a track moving forward at the toss of a 2 cubic foot foam dice rolled by Celebrity Dice rollers recruited from across the area. Celebrity Dice Rollers include Senator Judy Emmons, State Rep Kevin Cotter, Revs. Alec Brooks and Mary Anne Evans-Justin, CEO of Presbyterian Villages of Michigan Roger Myers, Isabella Township Supervisor Rick Ervin, and Isabella Northeast Fire Chief Matt Kampf, among others.

Emcee for the evening, race announcer and commentator is Mike Carey, owner of WCZY/WMMI radio station.

Tractors are sponsored by area businesses and decorated by the business sponsors. Tractor sponsors to date are: Brown Milling Co., MLT, Inc., The Diner, Graham’s Organics, Isabella Bank, Ace of Diamonds, PVM of Michigan/ Roger Myers, DJ’s Automotive Center, Rawson + Rawson, Edward Jones—Mt. Pleasant Group, Clark Family Funeral Chapel and Cremation Service, Bader and Sons, Higgins & Associates, Coyne Oil Corporation, West Excavating, GreenStone Farm Credit Services, Team Elmer’s, Galgoci Oil Company, Bader & Sons, McCarthy’s Downtown Drugs, Mears Group, Inc., Pat McGuirk Excavating, Inc., Swindlehurst Farms, and Mr. Electric. Prior to the races, attendees will have an opportunity to vote for the “Best-Looking” tractor. Business sponsors also receive a reserved table for eight and a small amount of “Manor Money” to bet on their tractor.

Social time with cash bar begins at 5:30 and a buffet dinner consisting of two meats, salads, vegetables, and homemade desserts will be served at 6. Following dinner the betting and the races will begin. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased by calling Rosebush Manor at 989-433-0150.

Rosebush 4H clubs and their parents are assisting with dinner preparation and clean up under the leadership of Donna Anderson. Volunteers from the staff of Isabella Bank will be handling financial transactions of the evening.

Proceeds from the event will be added to the Benevolence Fund of Rosebush Manor to provide financial assistance to long-term residents who have outlived their financial resources. Rosebush Manor is a 501 (c)3 non-profit assisted living facility which began serving residents in 2004. It developed through the efforts of members of the Rosebush Presbyterian Church, Rosebush United Methodist Church, Leaton United Methodist Church, St. Henry's/St. Charles Parish, and Mt. Pleasant First Presbyterian Church. It is managed by Presbyterian Villages of Michigan.