If you’re a man who cringes at the word “ball,” don’t worry ... this is one ball you’re going to be more than happy to accompany your spouse or significant other to. The 3rd annual Blue Jean Ball and Chair-ity Auction is a fun, laid back family event that will keep you in good graces all year long.
    The Blue Jean Ball, which benefits The Child Advocacy Center, is slated for Saturday, Sept. 27, at Highland Country Club. And, the event is exactly what its name implies. To attend you don’t have to dress up or even wear a tie. Simply climb into your faded jeans — the more faded the better — grab your family and head over to the club for a night of food, music, dancing and art — lots of art.
    “All families are welcome,” said Sandy Ammons, a volunteer with The Child Advocacy Center. “This is the third year of The Blue Jean Ball. It has grown tremendously since last year, when we went from making $3,000 to $43,000.”
    Ammons said the community is already buzzing about the event. “What’s so great about this event is that you can do it with your children,” she said. “A lot of events are either geared toward children or they are geared toward adults. This is both. The children will have their own party with a deejay, dancing and food, and adults will have the same, as well as the auction.”
    The auction, like the event, is unique. It showcases chairs that are actually pieces of art.
    The number of artists participating in the event has more than doubled this year. In addition to the chairs, artists will also be offering paintings, clay pots, metal tubs and more. And the chairs will also be as eclectic. There will be the traditional straight-back chairs, Adirondack chairs, stools and much more.
    In addition to the more well-known artists in the community, there will also be some celebrity artists. Mayor Tony Chavonne as well as other members of the Fayetteville City Council will create works for the auction. County Commissioner Breeden Blackwell is contributing a different kind of art — a backyard barbecue grill.
    “As you can see, it has grown tremendously in a lot of different ways,” said Ammons.{mosimage}
    One thing that has not changed is the involvement of volunteers in the planning of the event. A group of 20 middle school children have been working furiously to plan the event. According to Ammons, they’ve decided everything from the food to be served to the invitations. They are also creating works of art for the auction. But more importantly, they are becoming advocates for abused children in our community. “They’ve learned how to reach out to those children in our community who have been abused,” said Ammons.
    The event is chaired by Ginny Breece and Martha Spires.
    Tickets for the event are $25 per youth and $50 per adult. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Child Advocacy Office at 486-9700 or by downloading a ticket request from the Web site at www.childadvocacycenter.com.

Janice Burton, Associate Publisher
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