Guests arrive at the second annual ‘The Event’ hosted by the WACF. Many stopped to get their free glass of champagne.

SYRACUSE — The Event, hosted by the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation was more than just a “friend”raiser Friday evening, June 28. One couple decided to celebrate their 51st wedding anniversary. An area woman gathered with friends to celebrate her birthday.

The evening event, despite the high temperatures and humidity, was a success with close to 300 people attending to enjoy a night of friends, food, music and dancing.

Ann Borne and Christine Weadick, mother and daughter, get a bite to eat.

Chris Roberts, WACF board member, welcomed the guests by telling a little what WACF is about, and the mission for the evening was to celebrate summer with family and friends. Bill McCully, WACF board member, noted about the evening’s “friend” raising event and encouraged those attending to support WACF’s mission and stop by a display to learn of some of the organization’s projects. The display featured the Between the Lakes Preserve pavilion plan as well as the overall plan for the preserve, information about the education center and its offerings, aquatic vegetation management projects and watershed projects current and future.

The food for the evening was provided by Blu Spoon Catering of Catablu Grille, Fort Wayne.

Many toe-tapped, sung along and even danced with the wide variety of music performed by John Kirkwood and The SoulShot band.

The evening wound down with the drawing for a variety of door prizes and an opportunity for those in attendance to give a donation toward WACF’s efforts.

If you missed this year’s event, mark your calendar for the last Friday of June for the next The Event “friend”raiser.