Those interested in ending the year with a donation are invited to the Boys and Girls Club of Poplar Bluff’s fundraiser Ring in the New Year Under the Big Top Gala.
This is the second time the club has hosted an Under the Big Top gala, but the first time it will help welcome in the new year. The Boys and Girls Club is part of a national organization that offers afterschool and summer programs for area students, which is focused on character and leadership development, education and career development, the arts, health, life skills, sports, fitness and recreation.
Last year’s gala took place in October, but Resource Development Director Gail Fox Dohrman said the town already has a lot going on in October so they decided to move it.
The event serves as the club’s second largest fundraiser of the year. The first is the Taste of the Town in the spring.
Dohrman said the event will be a traditional New Year’s Eve party with dinner, drinks, music and party favors.
Dinner will be provided by Karon Campbell’s Tasteful Creations Catering. Campbell has a Qulin-based catering business.
Entertainment will be provided by Papa Green Shoes, a band based out of Springfield. They perform a mixture of modern blues, soul, funk and rock.
Dohrman said they’re trying to make sure the evening is safe. There will be adult drinks at the event, but there will be precautions in place to keep people from drinking and driving.
The event will be held at the Holiday Inn and Dohrman said discounted rooms will be available for attendees who want to stay there or at the Hampton Inn. Additionally, the club will offer shuttle services both to and from the event.
All proceeds from the event will go toward activities and programs at the Boys and Girls Club.
There are still sponsorships available, which include a table for eight, dinner, beer and wine for four hours, a champagne toast and party favors.
Individual tickets are also available for $100, which includes everything except for the champagne toast.