Auctioneer Calvin Story, back, said the Basin High School Rodeo Team has been holding a pie auction every year since 1988 to raise money for equipment and other expenses, raising as much as $22,000 one year. At the 2014 auction, seen here, 2013 Durango Fiesta Days Queen Rickie Baker helps auction off an apple pie in front of the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Depot & Museum.

Steve Lewis/Durango Herald file photo

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Auctioneer Calvin Story, back, said the Basin High School Rodeo Team has been holding a pie auction every year since 1988 to raise money for equipment and other expenses, raising as much as $22,000 one year. At the 2014 auction, seen here, 2013 Durango Fiesta Days Queen Rickie Baker helps auction off an apple pie in front of the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Depot & Museum.

Steve Lewis/Durango Herald file photo

Galloping into full gear for its 80th birthday, Durango Fiesta Days has a lot of traditions. One highlight is always the Basin High School Rodeo Team’s barbecue, pie auction and street dance fundraiser, which will take place Thursday.

Dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m. in front of the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Depot and Museum in downtown. The pie auction will be held afterward for dessert. Then attendees can dance off the calories until 11 p.m., when it’s time to roll up the sidewalks so the dancers can get some rest before Friday’s activities.

This is the main fundraiser for the team. Unlike other sports, where the main expenses are for travel and uniforms, the rodeo team has livestock to be fed, watered and taken care of by the occasional veterinary visit as well as a significant equipment requirement.

If that’s not reason enough, man, can these mothers bake!

abutler@durangoherald.com