Waseca Hockey Association's annual fundraiser boosted by popular country artist

Buoyed by a nationally known country music artist, the Waseca Hockey Association’s annual fundraiser at Boxer’s Bar drew close to twice as many attendees as it often does, drawing attendees from well beyond Waseca’s borders.

Traditionally a highly local affair featuring Minnesota-based bands playing in front of hometown hockey-loving families, this year’s country music themed program was given a national sheen with popular country singer and songwriter Tyler Farr as the headliner.

While popular Minnesota artists Chad Johnson and the Minnesota Transplants and Bryce Leppert brought their own followings, organizers said it was Farr and his national fanbase which enabled the event to draw attendees from across southern Minnesota and northern Iowa.

A Missouri native, Farr has charted eight singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay charts. His 2015 hit single “A Guy Walks into a Bar” climbed to No. 1 on the Country Airplay chart after a slow-burn rise which took place over almost a year.

So how was the hockey association able to draw Farr to Waseca? It’s down to the influence of Kristin Fox, owner of the popular Pippa Lane Boutique. While not on the Hockey Association’s Board currently, Fox just so happens to be a proud Waseca hockey mom.

In 2021, Fox launched a clothing line with Farr’s wife Hannah after meeting her over Instagram. When the hockey association was looking for a headliner for this year’s concert, they reached out to Fox to see if she might be able to use her personal connection to bring Farr to Waseca.

While this year’s concert may have been much larger than those in prior years, the Boxcar’s roomy backyard provided plenty of room for a giant party. Beginning at 5:30 p.m., the crowd of hundreds took in roughly six hours of music while enjoying drinks and grub from local food trucks.

Board member Kellie Moseley, who discovered a passion for hockey later in life after her boys fell in love with the sport, said that the hockey association hoped to raise about $25,000 from the fundraiser but that expenses would be formidable as well.

For Farr, a southern Missouri native, tour stops in Minnesota have been a relative rarity, so the concert provided a rare opportunity to see him in person. Moreover, the concert was a particularly big hit with those who love both Waseca hockey and Farr’s country music.

While many had previously attended the fundraiser and wouldn’t have missed the chance for a fun night out with friends on a balmy summer’s evening even if country wasn’t quite their thing, others like Ramon Portillo and Jose Perez Ruiz were enjoying their first WHA Fundraiser.

Natives of Amarillo, Texas but stationed in Minnesota to work on a pipeline, the co-workers and country music fans said they knew they had to come out to the fundraiser after hearing that Farr would be the lead act.

For Waseca’s Amber Hellmich and her friends, the venue was part of the appeal. Hellmich said that the Boxcar is easily one of her favorite watering holes and her friend Jacob Schwictenberg agreed, saying its small town atmosphere reminded him of his childhood.