In the video above, James Rolin has a preview of the annual Margarita Meltdown, a fundraiser for Eagle Mount. The beach-themed event is the biggest fundraiser of the year for Eagle Mount, which provides adaptive and therapeutic recreation to people with disabilities. The event will be on Friday, January 24, 2025 at the Pacific Steel & Recycling Four Seasons Arena. For more information or to buy tickets, click here.
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In just a few short weeks, the Eagle Mount Activity Center will transform the Fairgrounds Areana into a tropical paradise as the Margarita Meltdown brings warmth and fun to the heart of winter. Scheduled for Friday, January 24, from 5:30 p.m. to midnight, this annual fundraiser supports Eagle Mount Great Falls and offers attendees a lively reprieve from Montana’s frigid temperatures.
“The event is our annual fundraiser for Eagle Mount,” explained Executive Director Deb Sivumaki. “The reason this one exists is in 2005, we were gifted this building, the Eagle Mount Activity Center. The only problem was the building was not handicapped accessible, so we needed to raise money to make it so.”
A Tradition of Music and Fun
The Margarita Meltdown traces its roots to a group of friends who were big fans of Jimmy Buffett and his beachy vibes. Inspired by his music, they decided to host a wintertime beach party, and the event has been a local favorite ever since.
Each year, the event features a new band, and this year’s musical act is none other than Jimmy and the Parrots, a crowd favorite sure to bring energy to the stage.
Supporting a Worthy Cause
Eagle Mount Great Falls serves 415 individuals with over 30,600 hours of programming annually, despite having only five staff members. “We usually can run for two, three, four, six months off of what we get, depending on the year,” Sivumaki said.
Proceeds from the Margarita Meltdown directly support Eagle Mount’s activities, which focus on providing enriching experiences for individuals with disabilities.
A Beach Party Atmosphere
The transformation of the Eagle Mount Activity Center is part of the event’s charm. “Everything is built out of old lumber and tin to make the bars and food courts look like you’re out on a beach,” Sivumaki shared. The festive atmosphere is completed by attendees donning flowered shirts and summer vacation attire.
This year’s catering is provided by Clark and Lewie’s, ensuring delicious food options to pair with drinks available for purchase.
Tickets and Details
Tickets for the Margarita Meltdown are $45 and can be purchased at Kaufman’s, Eagle Mount, or on the organization’s website.
“Grab your flip-flops and leave your snow boots at the door,” Sivumaki joked. “You’ll be needing them on January 24th.”
With live music, great food, and a tropical ambiance, the Margarita Meltdown promises to be a night to remember—all while supporting a great cause.
