The Johnson Center for the Arts will host its annual “Christmas at the Center” fundraising event on Thursday, December 10, and everyone is invited to be a part of the magical night.

Vicki Pritchett, Johnson Center executive director, said “Christmas at the Center” is the JCA’S main fundraiser and helps make it possible to continue to keep the doors of the art center open free of charge.

“We don’t want to ever have to charge admission to the Johnson Center for the Arts and ‘Christmas at the Center’ goes a long way in helping us to do that,” Pritchett said. “And, it’s a great opportunity for our community to come together for a time of entertainment, fellowship and good food.”

“Christmas at the Center” will begin with wine and hors d’oeuvres from 5:30 until 7 p.m. at the Johnson Center for the Arts.

“At 7 o’clock, we’ll walk across the street to The Studio for dinner, entertainment and a live auction,’ Pritchett said. “The four-course dinner will be catered by Gabe’s Quality Catering in Eufaula so we can look forward to a delicious meal, good entertainment and a lively and friendly but competitive auction.”

The auctioneer will be State Rep. Alan Boothe and he makes any auction fun and exciting, Pritchett said.

“We’ll have some really great items up for bid including a deep sea fishing trip for eight, and weekend packages at Birmingham’s Ross Bridge Golf Resort and Spa and the Battle House Mobile.”

Other items that will be auctioned are tickets to events at the Shakespeare Festival and the Montgomery Symphony.

“We’ll also have an Arty Party for 10, adults or children, and an afternoon of horseback riding for four,” Pritchett said. “In the area of art, we have a Dr. Doug Hawkins’ original painting that he did especially for this auction. We have artwork by Chris Beck and hand-blown glass by Cal Breed. And, that just some of the great items that will be in the auction.”

Those who attended “Christmas at the Center” will have their names entered in a drawing for the one-day use of The Studio.

Tickets for “Christmas at the Center” are $65 per person and $125 for couples. Tables of eight are available for $600. Tickets may be purchased at the Johnson Center, 300 East Walnut Street in Troy, by calling 334-670-2287 or on line at www.tpcac.org.