Tinsel & Tails rings in the new year with a packed house
by January 1, 2011 11:38 am 182 views
story and photos by Ruby Dean
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An evening full of glitz and glamour awaited the more than 450 guests who attended the 22nd Anniversary of “Tinsel & Tails 2010 — An Affair to Remember” in New York Style.
The event included live and silent auctions, food, dancing, complimentary photos in Central Park and drinks, a champagne toast, live music and more that began at 6:30 p.m. New Year’s Eve at the Phoenix Expo Center in Fort Smith.
The night began with a formal roof top dinner overlooking the city to the picturesque setting of Central Park. Crossing the bridge into Atlantic City, allowed the guests to partake in the charitable casino games.
Chris Swicegood, a native from Fort Smith, now a New York jazz performer and wife Lolly entertained the guests before dinner. After dinner and the live auction, Mr. Cabbage Head and The Screaming Radishes took the stage.
The Alzheimer’s Association’s goal is to raise $85,000 to help support their programs. Last year, the event raised just under $80,000. At the beginning of the evening, $60,000 had already been raised. Ryan Cassedy, event chair, said they should get close to the goal.
“There are more than 100,000 people who are affected with Alzheimer’s in Arkansas,” Cassedy said during remarks before dinner began. “Some of the programs provided by the Alzheimer’s Association are free services to families, caregivers and Alzheimer’s patients. They provide them with information, education and awareness about this disease.”
Cassedy was pleased with the event turnout.
“This year there was a waiting list for attendees. It is a great community event and a lot of sponsors came out and supported it,” he said.
Items up for live auction included an autographed Jim Buffett guitar, a Beatles collage, and tickets to the Sugar Bowl on the 30 yard line.
At the stroke of midnight, guests had a complimentary champagne toast while balloons dropped from above the dance floor onto the dancers. A free breakfast buffet, which included the traditional black-eyed peas, was served.
