Breakdown Shakedown will be rocking the Montgomery County Fairgrounds again this year.

The St. Louis-area band will return for its second year of Grow2Gather’s Annual Fundraiser from 6 p.m.-11 p.m. on April 12. The event will feature a silent and live auction and its dance starts at 7 p.m.

Grow2Gather manager Amy Johnson said the event has already received 60 different donations and there are many people and businesses who are sponsoring Breakdown Shakedown, including Jessica and Craig Rhoden, Jessica Fischer, Nature’s Plow, American Bank of Freedom, Peoples Savings Bank and Jonesburg State Bank.

“It makes your heart happy to know the support that we received and the way the community comes together and rallies with us,” Johnson said.

Last year’s event was a successful one as it raised over $28,000 to help make additions to Grow2Gather, a business in New Florence that is in its seventh year and sells craft supplies and home décor.

“Last year, we added a window to the side of our building,” Johnson said. “We did a patio, where we do projects. We also used the patio for our customers as well to sit out there and enjoy the weather with their coffee. The more we grow at Grow2Gather, we are able to provide more jobs for those we serve. Our end goal is to keep going and growing so we can keep adding jobs for our team members.”

The event is close to being sold out. As of April 4, there are only eight tables remaining to purchase. The cost is $35 per ticket and $240 for eight people. Interested participants can call 573-835-4769 to make reservations.

Johnson said she thanks the Fairgrounds for hosting the event again this year.

“They’re a huge part in helping us,” the manager said. “We kind of trade. We work for them at the fair and they donate the building to us.”

Breakdown Shakedown was formed in 2014 and is known for its eclectic song selection and its high-energy live performances. Last year, it replaced the Cherry Pistols, who performed in the first year of the fundraiser in 2023.

“We started out having the Cherry Pistols the first year we did it,” Johnson said. “Their lead singer became very sick and ended up in the ICU. A few days before our fundraiser, we had no band. The Cherry Pistols were friends with Breakdown Shakedown, which helped us in a pinch. We were so thankful that they did. They’re amazing. We stayed with them because they’re so good. Everybody loved to dance with them. It’s wonderful.”

Johnson said she and her staff have been planning the fundraiser for the last six months. Audra Heimer, Jessie Cobb and Jenny Krattli of the Montgomery County R-II School District are part of the committee.

“We had several who came to us and they said they couldn’t wait until the next fundraiser,” Johnson said. “It’s a great time. That’s what we want. We wanted everyone to have a lot of fun and enjoy themselves and have a great evening.”