The Village of Mankota's strong showing this summer vaulted them into second place for the Small Town Showdown.

One hundred and thirty-eight people rallied together at the Crop Production Services (CPS) barbecue in Mankota on July 12 to raise a grand total of $10,492.

"I was very pleased and I was very proud of our community for coming out to support the fundraiser for the hall," said Sharon Sherven, secretary and treasurer of the Mankota Agricultural Hall.

The second-place prize awarded to Mankota was $3,000, bringing their total to $13,492. The money will go towards purchasing two new natural gas furnaces with air conditioning and repainting the galvanized steel on the Mankota Agricultural Hall.

Mankota was one of 10 communities in Saskatchewan competing in the Small Town Showdown that was presented by CPS, Gowen Canada, and Golden West Radio.

"Quite a few of those towns were bigger than Mankota, so it was a real feather in our cap to receive that $3,000 and the second-place prize," Sherven said.

She also believes the village of approximately 200 claiming second place illustrates the community they have.

"It just goes to show the character of the people of Mankota," she said. "They are proud of their community and they want to see that hall maintained."