MONTE VISTA - One of Ski-Hi Stampede's favorite traditions is moving to a new location this year, but its purpose remains unchanged: supporting the Monte Vista High School Band. 

For decades, the Monte Vista Band Boosters' annual Hamburger Fry has been a popular stop for parade-goers, serving lunch while raising money to support student musicians throughout the school year. This year, the longtime fundraiser has moved from the Sunflower Parking Garage to the Monte Vista Elks Lodge, at 121 N. Washington St., because of maintenance taking place at the parking garage. 

"As far back as I can remember, it's always been there," said Tammy Gonzales, president of the Monte Vista Band Boosters. "I remember walking by it in the '80s and early '90s, even before I was involved with the band." 

Although the location has changed, organizers were determined to keep the fundraiser on Main Street during Stampede weekend. 

"We just asked the community," Gonzales said. "The Elks graciously let us have it there." 

The Hamburger Fry will be held during Ski-Hi Stampede weekend on Friday, July 10, and Saturday, July 11, with serving beginning at approximately 11 a.m. each day and continuing until around 1:30 p.m., or until the food sells out. 

Lunch includes a hamburger, a bag of chips and a pop or bottled water for $10. 

Tickets are currently available through Monte Vista band students and Band Booster members, but lunches can also be purchased at the door. 

"If you don't get a ticket from a band kid or one of us Band Boosters, we also sell them at the door," Gonzales said. 

Keeping the event on Main Street was important because of the steady stream of parade visitors. 

"We get a lot of foot traffic from the parade," she said. "People smell the hamburgers cooking, realize they're hungry and come over to eat." 

The Elks Lodge also offers a new convenience this year by providing a comfortable indoor space where visitors can cool off, enjoy lunch and visit with family and friends after the parade. 

"We'll be able to let people eat inside," Gonzales said. "We're still right there in the middle of everything." 

Every dollar raised during the Hamburger Fry goes directly back to the Monte Vista High School Band. 

"One hundred percent of the money we raise goes straight to the band," she said. 

Those funds help pay for meals and lodging when students travel to competitions, instrument repairs, uniform needs, leadership camps, and other band-related expenses. The Band Boosters also hope to send students to a fourth marching competition this year. 

The organization is powered entirely by parent volunteers. 

"This event is all parent volunteers," Gonzales said. "It's all of us parents volunteering our time to do this." 

As the parent of two band students herself, she said becoming involved with the Band Boosters gave her a new appreciation for the countless hours volunteers dedicate behind the scenes. 

"I've seen how much work it really is," she said. "It's a lot of planning, getting the food, getting donations and organizing volunteers." 

The support doesn't stop after the fundraiser. Throughout the marching season, volunteers chaperone trips, prepare meals, transport equipment and trailers, and so much more in order to help care for nearly 80 students during regional and state competitions. 

"We try to give them good meals," Gonzales said. "When we go to state, we'll take them to places like Olive Garden or Chick-fil-A. If we have camps, we'll all get together and cook for them there, too." 

She said the goal is simple. 

"We do it all for the kids," she said. "The band is very successful, and we want to do everything we can to support them." 

The Hamburger Fry is one of the Band Boosters' largest fundraisers of the year, along with the annual Chili Supper held during Band Appreciation Night each October. Together, the events help provide opportunities for student musicians to travel and continue building on the band's success.