By: Matt Scher, matts@977thebolt.com
Rutland, IA – The City of Rutland is inviting the public to help preserve one of the community’s signature landmarks during the annual “Big Dam Fundraiser” on Saturday, Aug. 1.
Mayor Susan Tille, who has served as mayor since 2022, said the city acquired ownership of the Rutland Dam about a year ago, making fundraising an important part of maintaining the structure and Rose Mill Park.
“We acquired the dam a year ago, so we also have the responsibility of caring for that as well,” Tille said. “Our fundraisers are very important to try to raise money to care for that.”
The fundraiser begins with a free-will donation supper at 5 p.m. at the Rutland Community Center. Lone Tree Revival will perform beginning at 8 p.m. at Nuts Landing, and raffle tickets will be sold throughout the evening with drawings beginning at 9 p.m.
The raffle features a $1,000 cash grand prize and several donated prizes, including a gas-fired pizza oven, a $100 Wagon Wheel gift card in West Bend, a $100 Unkie’s gift card in Thor, a $50 Flipside gift card in Lu Verne, a Blue Moose gift basket from Renwick and a meat bundle from Liguria Foods in Humboldt.
Tille said repairing the dam is the city’s top priority.
“We have two broken gates,” she said. “One doesn’t go up and down, the other one’s got a broken spot on the bottom of it. They both need to be repaired.”
She said the city is working with the R.I.V.E.R. Development, Inc. to complete the repairs, remove a log jam and develop a more proactive maintenance plan.
“We’re hoping to get these gates repaired and to get the log jam cleaned up and cleared up,” Tille said. “Then you’d be proactive instead of reactive.”
In addition to maintaining the dam, the city continues investing in Rose Mill Park. A new shelter house with showers and restrooms was recently completed entirely through donations, and new electrical service has been installed to support additional campground hookups in the future.
“It’s all about preparing for the future and having that plan,” Tille said.
Tille also credited volunteers and area businesses for supporting the fundraiser.
“People just help when they can,” she said. “You’ve got to work together.”
The free-will donation meal will feature smoked pork donated by West River Meats of Rutland. Loaded nachos will also be available later in the evening, and attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.
All proceeds from the event will support maintenance and future improvements at the Rutland Dam and Rose Mill Park.