It's time to get suits and evening gowns out of the moth balls - on Saturday (Oct. 2), Sea to Sky Community Services Society (SSCSS) and Squamish Savings presents the annual Diamonds and Pearls Gala Fundraiser at Howe Sound Brew Pub from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m.
"We don't have a lot of events in Squamish where we get all dolled up and go out for the evening," said Lindsay Burke, co-organizer. "So it's nice to have an event like this."
This year's event has also attracted some television personalities - the MC will be Squamish's own Tamara Stanners from The Peak radio station and well-known CBC and CTV broadcaster Vicki Gabereau will deliver the live auction.
This is the SSCSS's third year running the gala, and with some help from Squamish Savings, the hope is that funds raised from the annual event will contribute to the SSCSS's fund to build their own building in downtown Squamish.
Although there are a several smaller fundraisers throughout the year, this is the SSCSS's main annual fundraiser to eventually finance their own building.
"It's an in-the-works project," said Burke. "We're still a few years away from having enough for the building."
Right now, the SSCSS works out of a few different places because they don't have one space for all their services, and they have partnered with The United Church to potentially secure some land.
She said the need just keeps growing for community social services, so the hope is that eventually they can all be under one roof.
The formal event promises to be festive and entertaining with a slight change from previous years.
"We're trying something a little different with the tapas and lounge bar," she said. "There will be fabulous mouth watering tapas paired with award-winning Howe Sound beer and fine wines."
There will also be a dessert station, a seafood station, a meat station and a comfort food and vegetarian station.
Fresh dessert strawberries, dark chocolate and oatmeal stout pot de crème and winter ale ice cream profiterole dipped in milk chocolate round out the dessert options.
There are unique meat concoctions such as duck rillette with Okanagan fruit chutney and toasted brioche and delicious vegetarian dishes such as cherry tomatoes stuffed with vegetable and feta antipasto.
There will also be a silent and live auction to get the crowd interacting with the MCs, and live music from local artist Dana Marie and Victoria's hottest cover band, The Broken Strings.
Included in the silent auction are weekend getaway packages, a Las Vegas vacation package, snowboarding with Olympic gold medalist Maëlle Ricker and skiing with Olympic gold medalist Ashleigh McIvor.
The photo booth, which was introduced last year and was a big hit with the guests, gives dolled-up ladies and gentlemen the opportunity to have a portrait of themselves in their splendid attire.
The Brew Pub has seating for 140 guests so those hoping to get in should buy tickets soon - last year's event almost sold out. Tickets can be purchased from the SSCSS and cost either $75 per person or $400 for a table of six.
For more information, call the SSCSS at 604-892-5796.
