Crown of the Continent Guitar Foundation auctioning 2017 Jeep

The Crown of the Continent Guitar Foundation is aiming to fund its annual scholarship program by raffling a 2017 Jeep Renegade Desert Hawk.

The foundation supports the annual Crown Guitar Workshop. In the last seven years, the foundation has awarded 144 scholarships to local students and teachers, valued at $5,000 each, and 15 national fellowships to up-and-coming musicians, at a value of $10,000 each. The program provides students exposure to the workshop’s renowned faculty that includes a number of successful, high-profile musicians.

“When I arrived at Crown two years ago, I could barely strum and sing at the same time,” Emily Freudenberger, a Whitefish 16-year-old and former scholarship recipient, said in a press release. “Within a week, I had mastered the skill of multitasking and gained a much greater appreciation and knowledge of other styles of music. I am amazed by how large of a difference one week can make and how greatly I am impacted by hearing the stories of other musicians.”

In that same release, Missoula performer Sean Burress added, “Journeying through life as a musician is much like the passage of a young wizard on a lifelong quest to slay demons and spread peace throughout the land.

“The Crown of the Continent Guitar Workshop strikes me as a crucial step along the way; a chance to gain countless experience points. It will be the perfect launch pad to the next phase of my adventure.”

TICKETS TO win the Jeep are $100 each, and packs of six entries will be sold for $500. Up to 888 tickets will be sold and the winner will be drawn on the final night of the Crown Guitar Festival, Saturday, Sept. 2. The winner may choose to claim the Jeep or a $20,000 cash prize. Tickets can be purchased by calling 855-855-5900 or by tracking down board members at a number of community events in Bigfork and Kalispell. They will also be sold at Don K Subaru/Jeep in Whitefish. That dealership is providing the vehicle to be auctioned.

For more information on the eighth annual Crown Guitar Workshop and Festival, visit www.crownguitarfest.org or call 855-855-5900.