ROCK SPRINGS – Even those with little to give can make a big difference. One event which showcases that starts Thursday.

The third annual Wrapped Up concert starts Thursday at the Elks  Club at 5 p.m. The only entrance fee for the two-day fun is simply a new or gently used toy. The toys will be gathered and taken by the Rock Springs Fire Department.

The two-day event showcases local talent of all kinds. Not only will there be bands and local hip hop artists, this year the event will feature a local dance crew, Cypher Elements Crew. 

The crew will be the featured artist on Thursday night. Navarre Mudd of Razor Records expects a laid back Thursday night. Along with Cypher Elements Crew on Thursday, Mudd said to expect a couple of rappers to take the stage.  Wrapped Up Thursday starts at 5 p.m. as a DJ will play from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. From 8 p.m. to midnight the stage will be alive with action.

While Thursday will be more relaxed, Mudd said fans should expect to turn it up on Friday night. The party gets started again at 9 p.m. but runs until 2 a.m. Artists such as Treezy, Big Tone, Tattic and Mudd will have fans up and jumping.

While the entrance fee is a toy, there will also be raffles taking place on both days. Navarre said many of the small, locally-owned business stepped up to provide many of the raffle items. Graffiti Records donated $200 with $150 of that going straight to purchase toys. The other $50 will go in the pot for two cash prizes in the raffle. Andy’s Long Distant Shooting also donated $150 which will also go to toys and the cash prize raffle.

Mudd said while he was talking to some people about the event, the owner of Andy’s overheard the conversation and jumped on board. Mudd was excited with the new addition and said expect Andy’s to be a part of the event next year.

Other raffle items include movie passes as well as gift certificates from White Mountain Mining, the Chill Grill, Solar Nails and Pla Mor Lanes. There will also be a few big prizes. Jensen Jewelers donated a 39-inch chocolate pearl necklace and Amigos Equipment donated a tool set.

The raffle drawing will take place at Friday’s event and fans do not have to be present to win. Mudd said fans can start buying tickets on Thursday.

Mudd gave a special shout out to the Pickin Palace and the Elks Club. Pickin Palace is donating all the sound and time while the Elks is providing the building free both nights. Mudd said without the help of everyone, this would not be possible.

Not only did the event gather a fire truck full of toys last year, it raised over $1,000. Mudd said the RSFD separates all the toys gathered by age. They then use the money raised from the event to fill in the gaps they have in specific age groups.

So where did Wrapped Up get its start? The event was started by Navarre Mudd of Razor Records.

Not only did he create an event that gives exposure to local music, he created an event that gives back to the community 100 percent. Mudd said even the Elks donates the building and Pickin Palace the sound so everything given goes directly to the community.

If there is one group that understands the word struggle it’s young musicians and artists. Whether it’s playing in the symphony in between jobs or a rock band traveling in a van just to be heard, getting exposure is tough. Now imagine what it is like for hip-hop artists in Rock Springs.

Mudd knows this struggle. He had to hit the streets to find places to play and, because of this, learned a lot about promotion. Always looking for a way to give back to the community that has supported him over the years, Mudd came up with Wrapped Up.

The show was a way Mudd could give exposure to local musicians and give back to the community all at the same time. Not only would it give local musicians a chance to play, it would help the Rock Springs Fire Department’s annual Toys for Kids drive. After the event one year, Mudd had the opportunity to join the Rock Springs Fire Department to deliver the toys. He said it was an emotional experience to see the lives touched by the generosity of so many.

While the event was small when it started, it has grown in popularity. Each year the event has continued to grow to the point the event itself had to expand.

“We had so many people who wanted to be a part of it this year, we made it two days,” Mudd said.

Join the fun and giving Thursday night at the 5 p.m. at the Elks Club, 307 C Street.