T-L Photo/ROBERT A. DEFRANK Bethesda Fiscal Officer Rick Burkhead, left, and Councilman Jay Van Horn display two of the firearms that will be available to winners at the Bethesda Gun Bash fundraiser Nov. 4. A Henry Side Gate Caliber .45 70 in polished brass and a Ruger Precision .338 caliber Lapua bolt action rifle will be among the prizes.

BETHESDA — The village’s annual gun bash to benefit the fire department and park is set for next month, with some valuable firearms up for grabs.

Rick Burkhead, fiscal officer for the village, said there will be 13 guns raffled off, along with two $1,000 prizes. He added that the main pair of guns — a Ruger Precision .338 caliber Lapua bolt action rifle and a Henry Side Gate Caliber .45 70 in polished brass, have a value of $11,500.

“They’re both really pretty,” Burkhead said.

“One’s (the Ruger Precision .338 Lapua) a super high-powered rifle that people like to take out to the range and shoot long distance with,” he said.

Burkhead said the Henry Side Gate is functional as a hunting rifle, but due to its extensive brass work is more likely to be kept as a showpiece.

He added that the gun bash will showcase a wide variety of other guns.

“We’ve got ones from every category. We try to hit everybody. We try to get collectors, people wanting to use them for hunting, whatever,” he said. “All the guns are provided by Bridgeport Equipment. They’ve done it for the last three years for us. They’re great at it. They’re always very helpful in getting us discounts. They do a good job.”

If someone does not like the gun they receive, they can return it for store credit.

At the pistol table, guests will have multiple chances at winning pistols. There will also be floor guns and a “mystery safe” raffle.

They will also raffle off a Massimo Mini 125 mini jeep.

“This is something unique and interesting. Something different,” Burkhead said.

He said this will mark the fifth year of the village holding a gun bash. All together, it has likely raised close to $150,000 so far.

Burkhead and Councilman Jay Van Horn, representing the fire department, said the gun bash is their major fundraiser.

“I’m hoping we can make $50,000, like we did two years ago. That’s the goal,” Burkhead said.

“It’s one of our biggest fundraisers we do each year,” Van Horn said. “We’d just like everybody to come out, because it is a fun night.”

For the first three years, the gun bash raised funds toward the purchase of a new fire truck.

They said the fire department is currently raising funds to purchase new heart monitors, and the park is planning landscaping activities and to address erosion issues and drainage problems in the parking lot. Burkhead said the village hopes to extensively renovate the parking lot eventually.

“It’s going to take a good bit of money. It might take two years to come up with it,” Burkhead said.

He said 500 tickets are sold each year, with up to 350 people usually attending the event.

Van Horn said the night’s events will also include 50/50 raffles throughout the night.

“There’s a lot of other things going on that night. There’s games. We keep the room moving. We’re giving a gun away every 15 minutes once we start,” he said.

People may purchase a $75 ticket for a chance to win and admittance to the event and the buffet. For $25 entrance tickets, people can attend, eat and play.

The gun bash will be held at 4-9 p.m. Nov. 4 at the Carnes Center at the Belmont County Fairgrounds. Doors open at 3:30 p.m.

Winners must pass a background check.

For more information, call 740-484-1250 or visit the Bethesda Gun Bash Facebook page.