Preparations for Twin Cedars’ Behind the Mask Twelfth Night Celebration are already underway, and organizers hope that the fundraiser will once again bring much needed funding and awareness to Twin Cedars’ services for children, youth, families and communities.

The annual fundraiser allows participants to vote on a King and Queen of the Mask through donations to Twin Cedars, and encourages candidates to talk about why they support Twin Cedars. 

“It gives our candidates that are running for King and Queen of the Mask the opportunity to officially kick off their campaign,” said Jennifer Shawa, the director of development for Twin Cedars. “They have the chance at that event to actually say a few words and let the people who they’ve invited to attend know why they are running for King of the Mask or Queen of the Mask, what they really love about Twin Cedars and the good work that is being done in the community by Twin Cedars.”

This year the candidates for king are Christopher Adams, Mike Angstadt, Derwin Brewer and Mike Speight. The candidates for queen are Janice Brewer, Maiya Dowell, Katie Jones, Laura Jones, Shenequa Killingsworth and Patricia Rogers. The Mardi Gras style fundraiser will feature new elements for the 2019 event in addition to returning favorites.

“There will be a band instead of a DJ, and we will have appetizers,” said Sheri Cody, the executive director of Twin Cedars. “A lot of the things people liked last year will be back. They’ll be able to dance. They’ll be able to mingle. They’ll be able to play cornhole. They’ll be able to drink craft beer, and they’ll be able to vote for the candidates of their choice over the course of the evening, and we would encourage them to do that many, many times.”

However, the most important part of the event for organizers is letting people know they are there to help those in need.

The Twelfth Night celebration will take place on Jan. 4 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Wild Leap Brew Co. Admission costs $20, which includes two drink tickets. More information and registration information can be found at Twincedars.org/12th-night-celebration/. Registration is not required but is encouraged.