The celebrities have stepped up and are planning their costumes for the 14th annual Brookhaven Animal Rescue League’s Celebrity Dinner and Auction.

The fundraising event is Oct. 24 at the Lincoln Civic Center, with the silent auction beginning at 5:30 p.m., and the opening prayer for dinner at 6 p.m. 

The celebrity waiters compete for tips, which go to helping animals in BARL’s care.

The waiters for the dinner will include Anne Houston Craig with Magnolia Blues; Carl Smith with King’s Daughters Medical Center; and Dr. Bob Watson with Brookhaven Animal Hospital along with Rep. Becky Currie, R-Brookhaven, Rep. Vince Mangold, R-Brookhaven, Karen Roger, Ward 4 Alderman Jason Snider and Don and Sarah Underwood.

Several businesses have signed up and will furnish “celebrity” waiters of their own to represent them — Copiah-Lincoln Community College, Trustmark, Region’s Bank, Inez Salon, Sullivan Ford, Lincoln Civic Center, Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce and Toyota of Brookhaven.

Sarah Thomas, the first female full-time official for the NFL, will be the special guest.

A buffet meal will be provided by Cracker Barrel BBQ, Broma’s, Betty’s Eat Shop, So Delish Catering and Georgia Blue Bakery.

The celebrity waiters will have their tables decorated in a theme to match their costumes, and each table will have a tip jar waiting to be filled with money from guests.

While guests dine at the buffet, a professional auctioneer will lead the live auction.  A silent auction also takes place throughout the evening.

Advance tickets are $25 and must be pre-purchased due to limited seating. Tickets are available by contacting Deana Pendley at 601-720-1505 or deanapendley@gmail.com or Julie Montalvo at 601-757-1057 or juliemontalvo@icloud.com. Tickets may be purchased at Bank of Franklin in Brookhaven or First Bank in downtown Brookhaven, or from Celebrity waiters and BARL board members.

Items can be donated for the silent and live auctions up until Oct. 23. To donate an auction item or to ask about tickets or sponsorships, contact Pendley or Montalvo.

BARL is a 501(c)3 no-kill animal welfare group that sponsors the care, treatment and well-being of animals in Brookhaven and surrounding areas.

It is a mostly-volunteer organization that depends largely on donations and funds raised at two specific events — the Cat’s Meow rummage sale and the celebrity dinner.