The Back Story

The Last Splash of Summer is a community driven event to bring all the kids in the area together for one last hurrah before schools starts. Ideally held a week or 2 before school starts.

The idea originated from advertisement for water balloons and a crazy idea.

Doug, known for doing some pretty crazy fund raisers oversees(see below), saw 5550 water balloons on sale for about $180 and thought, why not. He placed an order and figured he’d do something with one of the local youth groups. This wasn’t his first rodeo, as they say in the country.

An hour later he made a run to the bank. As he walked into Big Horn Federal in Powell, WY (in flip flops, shorts and a t-shirt) the branch manager happened to walk across his path.

Without thinking Doug stuck out his hand and said, “Hi, my names Doug Montgomery and I’m just taking a shot in the dark.” The manager said, “Sure, what can I do for you”, Doug replied, “I just bought 5000 water balloons for $180 and I’m going to have a water balloon fight with one of the youth groups. Do you wanna buy 5000 water balloons?”
The manager said, “Sure, come on into my office. Who do I make the check out too?” He was completely shocked.

Doug spent the next 6 weeks talking to other business owners, the fire department, the city for water, Park County Fair Grounds and next thing you knows he’s got 50,000+ water balloons and one big ol’ party on his hands.

It turned out fantastic with 100’s of children from all around Park County having the time of their lives and so began the Powell Kids Day, The Last Splash of Summer.

The following year was an even bigger success with lots of money raised for several youth groups in Powell.

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Allow me to introduce the history of this event…

This is not a first and I’d like to share what can be done when a community comes together. It doesn’t take ‘someone else’ to do it, it takes all of us to do it.

None of the events I mention below were done by any one person, especially not me. It’s amazing what planting a seed can do. It took a community of people and lot’s of volunteers to make them a reality.

A couple years back in Poland ️, my English language club did a few different special events to raise money for families with disabilities. 1000 pancakes in a day, a Christmas bus filled with toys, a massive Children’s day event bbq’ing 1000 cheeseburgers in a day an attempt at a water balloon fight with 12,000 Water balloons, 2000 Chili dogs and a bake sale from around the region. EVERYTHING of course was donated including the mobile kitchen, bounce castle, the stage…Everything!