There’s nothing to do in Kokomo, right? Wrong! However, you’ve probably heard someone say that on more than one occasion. I’d like to challenge you to get out your calendar and a writing utensil, mark these dates and then tell your friends to do the same – March 17, March 22 and May 20.
So, why those specific dates? Those represent our main events for 2017. We will definitely have other events going on during the year – restaurant give back days, Art for all Abilities art show, etc – but these are three you will absolutely want to make sure you don’t miss.
First, on Friday, March 17, we will host our first-ever Viva Las Vista casino night event! We are pretty excited about this, as we’ve never done anything like it before and hope it becomes Kokomo’s St. Patrick’s Day tradition. Here’s how it will work: Purchase tickets in advance for $40 each or $70 per couple. Those tickets will get you in to Superior V, 400 W. Superior St., from 7-10p where we will give you 15 starter poker chips to play on any of the official casino table games available – black jack, roulette, Texas hold ‘em, craps (two different kinds), poker. We will also provide you with unlimited appetizers, allow you the opportunity to dance the night away with a DJ, have a cash bar available, and so much more. Luck doesn’t have to be a lady, but it just might be! You won’t know until you come! If you run out of the starter chips, you’re welcome to purchase more for a small donation to Bona Vista!
What’s more is that you don’t have to get all dressed up, but you can if you’d like! It’s a casino. You’re going to see all kinds of people there. Some in blue jeans and T-shirts, some ladies in dresses and heels, others in sweats and hoodies because it’s the weekend! We just want you to come and have fun!
Then, on Wednesday, March 22, Memorial Gymnasium will again play host to our annual Disability Awareness Basketball Game where a team of Bona Vista All-Stars will take on a team of local celebrities. Now, I’m not going to tell you who all the celebrities will be just yet. I’m going to leave you in suspense for a few more weeks until that cat comes crawling out of the bag. Until then, I will say that you will NOT want to miss this FREE, family-friendly event. Our Mayor’s Youth Advisory members are helping round up student cheer blocks, there will be half-time dance group entertainment acts, chances for you to play games during the quarters and plenty of time for you to cheer on your favorite team (Gooooooooo All-Stars!)!
Our largest fundraiser of the year – The Greatest Spectacle in Tasting – will take place on Saturday, May 20 on the grounds of Bona Vista. In its 22nd year, the night will feature samples from local restaurants, hundreds of microbrews and wines, great music and amazing silent auction! Soupley’s Wine and Spirits collaborates with Bona Vista each year to raise $50,000 for our organization. If you’ve never been, plan on going this year. It’s a great date night, a great meet-some-friends-for-fun night, a great support-your-community night… call it what you’d like. Just be there!
If you’re interested in attending any of these exciting events, sponsoring (and all the publicity that comes with that) or donating silent auction items to a great cause, call 765-457-8273 for more information. You can learn more about our upcoming events at www.bonavista.org, or by following us on Facebook @Bonavista Programs, Twitter @Bonavista_ or Instagram @bonavistaprograms. We look forward to seeing you soon!