A Tennessee Evening Gala volunteers join Mary Ann Damos, museum executive director, in the museum’s Appalachian Exhibit log cabin. From left, they are, seated, Pat Imperato and Cande Seay, and standing, Nancy Harrison, Lee McGetrick, Damos, and Larry Burkholder. (Submitted photo)
The Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge will host a Tennessee Evening Gala on Friday, December 4, celebrating Tennessee heritage with music, dance, and fine food representing the state’s traditions.
Guests are invited to come as a favorite Tennessee personality or character to the semi-formal event held from 6-11 p.m. December 4 at the museum, which is at 461 West Outer Drive in Oak Ridge.
The Ridge City Ramblers will entertain with toe-tapping bluegrass and Americana music. Also entertaining will be Henry Perry, bringing his harmonica blues music to the event, and Slade Trammell, a concert pianist. The Knoxville Contra Dancers will bring old-time folk dancing to the Gala.
Beth Haynes of WBIR-TV will emcee the Gala. Haynes co-anchors WBIR’s “Live at Five at Four” with Russell Bivin and anchors 10 News at Five and the 10 p.m. news at Fox 43.
Auctioneer Bear Stephenson will conduct a lively auction featuring many Tennessee-themed items, including a Gatlinburg getaway weekend, four platinum tour tickets to Graceland, and a weekend stay for two at the DoubleTree Hilton in Memphis, along with three elegant jewelry pieces donated by Karen’s Jewelers, a Bill Capshaw pottery piece, and an Apple watch. More items will be offered during the live auction and the silent auction in Imagination Gallery.
Mural artist Gale Hinton is contributing a Tennessee montage mural at the entrance to the Gala evening. All Occasion Catering will serve delicious Tennessee cuisine for the event.
Gala Committee volunteers are Martha Hart, Cande Seay, Lee McGetrick, Sandra Barry, Nancy Harrison, Frances Drake, Deb Akin, Suzan Bowman, Kat Howe, Connie Martin, Pat Imperato, Larry Burkholder, Phil Brooks, and Kay Brookshire, working with Museum staff members Mary Ann Damos, executive director; Dawn van Eek, business manager; Heather McAmis, museum assistant; and Jaclyn Waymire, administrative assistant. The Knoxville Area Model Railroaders serve as volunteers the evening of the Gala.
More than two dozen individuals and businesses are sponsoring the Gala, the annual fund raiser for the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge. The Gala supports the museum’s mission of educating children of all ages through play and discovery. The Children’s Museum offers summer camps, classes throughout the year, after-school programs, and experiences in history, the arts, science, and cultures, serving children and families throughout the East Tennessee region.
Tickets are $125 per person, with a discount of $25 if purchased by November 13. For more information about tickets, corporate tables or sponsorships, call Mary Ann Damos at (865) 482-1074, extension 104, or Jaclyn Waymire at extension 115. See the Children’s Museum website at www.childrensmuseumofoakridge.org.
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