In early June, an F3 tornado tore through Shelby, Rush and Decatur Counties, causing serious damage and destroying homes.

But one of the hardest hit areas was the small town of Moscow in Rush County, which lost its famous and beloved bridge to the strong winds. However, the bridge won’t be gone forever, as several facets of neighboring communities have come together for a New Year’s Eve party and a fundraiser to gather cash to replace the temporarily absent bridge.

Starting at 5 p.m. on Dec. 31, local banquet hall A2Z Occasions will be hosting the shindig, and tickets are available at Karma in Greensburg, the local Fairfield Inn or on the Web at www.650north.com.

The price for a single, all-inclusive ticket is $49, which includes a dinner, beer, party favors, entertainment and a champagne toast at midnight. Tickets without the dinner are $39, and $29 for minors who won’t be eating dinner but will have soft drinks and snacks. Ticket packages that include a hotel room, a spot at the party and transportation are also available.

“Five dollars from every ticket sold will be donated to the Moscow Bridge project,” event organizer Jerry Volmer said.

Dinner will start at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 31 at the banquet hall. Music will start at 8 p.m. with a performance from local rocker Skeeter Magee. Around 11 p.m., Ripley County group 650north will storm the stage. The party will be emceed by Tonya Haze from Indiana’s Rock Station Y106.

When the party and bands were coming together for the New Year’s Eve celebration, the idea of helping out a local cause came to the forefront.

“We were looking for a good charitable project,” Volmer said. “It’s going to help, and it’ll be the place to be this New Year’s.”

When the bands and organizers decided to help out the Moscow Covered Bridge reconstruction, the committee members that had been appointed to lead the reconstruction were thrilled.

The bridge was torn from its piers and hurled into the Flatrock River in June, and Gov. Mitch Daniels came to inspect the damage, which ultimately resulted in the formation of the committee.

On that committee is Suzanne Kendall, who was thankful that the New Year’s Party was going to help out with the bridge replacement effort.

“We’re slowly moving forward, but we need funds right now,” Kendall explained. “We’re trying to put the bridge back together not just for Rush County, but for the state and all the Midwest. It’s going to take a generation that cares about the future.”

The state will not be offering recovery money for the project.

“The Governor has offered all he can offer, but no money,” Kendall added.

Next spring, the framing will begin and the bridge will start to take shape. Dozens of civilians, neighbors and businesses have agreed to help in the bridge-raising.