KOUTS | To kick-start everyone's holiday spirit, the Kouts Volunteer Fire Department again is sponsoring a concert by country music performer John Berry on Sunday at the Porter County Expo Center.

Berry is making his 13th annual national holiday tour and his second consecutive stop at the Expo Center on behalf of the Fire Department. Event coordinator Joshua Bagnall said about 450 people attended last year's concert, which is both a fundraiser for the department and a chance for people to donate gifts to the Toys for Tots program.

Bagnall said the concert raised about $4,000 last year and the department collected a van load of toys. The department is trying to raise money to buy a new ladder truck.

"It's an excellent Christmas show," Bagnall said. "It got rave reviews last year, and that's what encouraged us to bring him back this year. That's one thing Porter County has lacked is a Christmas concert like this, and it's nice that we could work it out with his schedule."

Bagnall said Berry sings a selection of his hits during the first half of the show, and the second half is all Christmas music. Tickets are $20 for general admission and $30 for reserved seats, of which there are a few left, he said. The Expo Center can hold up to 1,800 people, and Bagnall said more than 450 tickets already are sold.

Berry remains after the concert to sign autographs for anyone wanting one. Tickets are available through the department's Web site at www.koutsfire.com, by calling (800) 328-2737 or at the door. Doors will open at 2 p.m. Sunday, and the concert starts at 3 p.m. The Expo Center is at Ind. 49 bypass and Division Road about a mile south of U.S. 30.