by Cori Hilsgen
news@thenewsleaders.com
The United Cerebral Palsy of Central Minnesota Oktoberfest Renaissance Festival benefiting people with disabilities will take place from 5:30-9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30 at Molitor’s Quarry located at 425 35th St. NE, Sauk Rapids.
The event will include food sampling by Applebees, Christine’s Sweet Confections, John Dough’s Pizza, Manea’s Meats, Molitor’s Quarry, Mongo’s Grill, Sixth Avenue Bistro, Texas Roadhouse and The Third Floor; as well as beer sampling from Beaver Island Brewing, C&L Distributing, Third Street Brewhouse and Viking Beverages.
Carl Newbanks, director of programs and communications, said this is their largest fundraiser of the year. Last year, about 300 people attended the event, and UCP of Central Minnesota raised about $20,000.
“Oktoberfest is a great event because you can win prizes whether you spend money at the event or not,” he said. “Each admission includes prize tickets which can be used for chances in several raffle drawings. The fun begins when you take your chances in the games to win even more prize tickets to increase your chances of winning a raffle item.”
UCP of Central Minnesota works with all disabilities to provide services and resources for clients of all ages, needs and abilities. For more information, visit ucpcentralmn.org.
Newbanks said the organization provides services such as home modifications, assistive technology, care coordination, adaptive equipment demo/loans, grants and scholarships, adaptive bikes and activities for families/children with disabilities such as bowling leagues, holiday parties, arts programs and more.
Cerebral palsy refers to any one of a number of neurological disorders which appears in infancy or early childhood that affects body movement and muscle coordination. The majority of those with cerebral palsy are born with it, but it often is not detected until months or years later. The early signs of cerebral palsy usually show up before a child reaches age 3.
Cerebral palsy cannot be cured, but treatments often improve a child’s capabilities. While one child with severe cerebral palsy might not be able to walk and need extensive care, another with a milder form might require little assistance.
Researchers are investigating early brain development as well as traumatic events such as bleeding, breathing and circulation problems, epileptic seizures and more to see how they affect cerebral palsy.
Tickets are available in advance or at the door and include admission into Molitor’s Haunted Acres.
“The silent auction always has great items as well, and the entertainment makes the night even better. Add in the Haunted Acres attraction and this is anything but your ‘normal’ fundraiser,” Newbanks said.
There will also be raffles, games, a silent auction and a beard/mustache competition during the event. For more information, visit ucpcentralmn.org.
The schedule of events includes:
- 5:30 p.m. Silent auction opens for bidding
- 5:45 p.m. Hammerschlagen, “keg” fishing, purse-snatching, stein-holding, raffles
- 6:30 p.m. Jerry Fraiser, comic magician
- 7 p.m. Mustache/beard competition
- 7:30 p.m. Jerry Fraiser, comic magician
- 8 p.m. Music from Harbor Drive Hookup
- 8:15 p.m. Hammerschlagen, “keg” fishing, purse-snatching, stein-holding, raffles
- 8:30 p.m. Silent auction opens, raffle winners announced
- 8:50 p.m. Silent auction check-out
