Republic file photo The Inn at Irwin Gardens will be the site of The Great Catsby fundraiser Sept. 7 for the Bartholomew County Humane Society
Give the Bartholomew County Humane Society staff and volunteers ample credit for having precisely the right cattitude about their upcoming fundraiser. They understand promotion as well as they understand caring for critters.
Here’s one key, cat-chy line from their posts and posters for The Great Catsby 1920s-style event Sept. 7 at the Inn at Irwin Gardens, 608 Fifth St. in downtown Columbus: “Get ready to paw-ty like it’s the Roaring Twenties.”
There you have it, feline fixators. An over-the-top event to allow you to have the time of your seemingly nine lives.
“We think it’s a great (event) title,” said Gracian Green, the inn’s innkeeper. “And we all just want to help the animals.”
Such a fundraiser was last held a decade ago.
“We wanted to bring back this event, and make it a staple in the future,” said Elizabeth James, the humane society’s board president.
The gathering will include hors d’ouvres from Purely Paula Catering, drinks from Hog Molly Brewing Company, a silent auction in the library, a live auction in the garden, live pop-rock tunes from The Tiptonians, and probably more flappers and sheiks than the local mansion has seen in, well, maybe a century.
Live auction items range from a Brown County fall foliage private plane ride over Brown County to a seven-night stay in an Airbnb in Washington state.
“We have some phenomenal items,” she said. “We know that we have to step things up.”
About 200 total tickets are available. The financial goal is the $25,0000 to $30,000 range, with proceeds seen as the beginning of the humane society’s new $250,000 capital campaign to address the human society’s building infrastructure.
“We’ve already covered our event expenses with sponsorships,” James said.
Attendees are being encouraged to “dress to impress” ’20s style, a century-ago theme which has been popular for a number of events in the past couple of years, from the Columbus Symphony Orchestra to the Bartholomew County Public Library.
James passed credit for much of the behind-the-scenes work for the fundraiser to Sarah Ruf, the humane society’s resource development manager. Because the event is the same day as the Columbus Pride Festival After Party on Fourth Street, organizers are offering a combined, discounted ticket for the two events just a street apart.
“We want to capitalize on all that,” James said.
To do that creatively, organizers will place rainbow-colored paw prints leading from the inn on Fifth Street to The Forge on Fourth (Street), the after party site.
About the event
What: The Great Catsby fundraiser, a 1920s fundraiser with live music, food, and a live and silent auction.
When: 4 to 9 p.m. Sept. 7.Sat
Where: Inn at Irwin Gardens, 608 Fifth St. in downtown Columbus.
Tickets: $100 to $135 at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-great-catsby-tickets-920929875047?aff=ebdssbdestsearch. Price includes two drinks.
About the event
What: The Great Catsby fundraiser, a 1920s fundraiser with live music, food, and a live and silent auction.
When: 4 to 9 p.m. Sept. 7.
Where: Inn at Irwin Gardens, 608 Fifth St. in downtown Columbus.
Tickets: $100 to $135 at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-great-catsby-tickets-920929875047?aff=ebdssbdestsearch. Price includes two drinks.
