LACASA Center’s Denim & Diamonds fall fundraising event has been reinvented this year with social distancing in mind. Set for Saturday, Sept. 19, guests will go on a Wild West poker run, which culminates at the Haggerty-Bearden Ranch in Howell for a night of picnic-style tailgating, live music, games, prizes, and fireworks.
Brighton Ford is providing 25 new F-150 trucks for the event, which will be parked in front of the stage so cowboys and cowgirls can enjoy the show in flatbed comfort.
Teams should bring their tailgate essentials to enjoy local favorite Kari Holmes and her band, who will once again perform country-rock originals and favorites for the crowd. Kari was a top 10 nominee for Inspirational Country Music chart’s New Artist of the Year in Nashville and is a fan-favorite in Livingston County.
Guests attending the 5:30–10 p.m. event will be asked to form poker run teams of two or more people per vehicle. The run features fun activities at four stops along the way, including Brighton Ford, Lake Trust Credit Union, LACASA Collection, and Cross W Ranch.
Teams will arrive at Haggerty-Bearden Ranch, the final stop, around 7 p.m., where players will receive the last playing card to complete their five-card hand. The team with the winning hand earns the top prize of a “Gourmet To Go” Dinner & Wine Experience from The Great Foodini.
Throughout the evening, event guests can purchase raffle tickets to go mining for a $6,000 diamond and other precious gemstones at the Diamond Mine station, which is sponsored by Cooper & Binkley Jewelers of Brighton. Guests also can pony up for tickets to win one of several luxury raffle baskets.
Boxed “meals for two” can be reserved online during ticket registration. These picnic style dinners are provided by Block Brewing Company and will be ready for pick up at the event.
Following an evening of Wild West fun, festivities will conclude with a show-stopping fireworks display over the beautiful grounds of the Haggerty-Bearden Ranch.
For those who are unable to attend Denim & Diamonds in person, a live, online experience also will be offered. Virtual guests can register in advance for tickets to watch a two-hour live stream of the evening’s happenings, music, and fireworks finale. A private link to the event will be sent following registration.
Denim & Diamonds event tickets are $100 per person. Each team must appoint a team leader, who also is required to purchase a separate Diamond Mine Raffle ticket, which is $100. Only one team leader is required per team/per vehicle. Boxed “meals for two” are $60. Admission to the virtual live stream event is $50.
Reserve your Denim & Diamonds tickets, picnic dinner, or virtual event tickets online at lacasacenter.org. Diamond Mine Raffle tickets can be purchased separately in advance at Cooper & Binkley Jewelers in Brighton or LACASA Collection in Howell.
To learn more, visit lacasacenter.org or contact LACASA Development Coordinator Alyssa Wierzbicki at 517-548-1350 or awierzbicki@lacasacenter.org .
