Tickets are now on sale for the next “Barton County’s Got Talent” dinner theater, set for Jan. 19, 2013, at Grace Community Church. The event is a fundraiser for the area Habitat for Humanity.
Two types of tickets are now on sale. Individuals and couples can come at 6 p.m. and enjoy a homemade meal prior to the start of the show for $25 per person. For those who just want to get in on the competition at 7 p.m., tickets are $15.  They are available at the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce office, 1125 Williams St.
Earlier this year, Habitat for Humanity finished building its fifth home in Barton County when the Wilkerson family moved into their three-bedroom home in Great Bend. The organization is now looking to the future, hoping to take on another building or rehabilitation project within the next year. The annual “Barton County’s Got Talent” dinner theater is anticipated to raise approximately $15,000, event organizer Rachel Mawhirter said.. A new seating arrangement will allow for as many as 500 people to attend the talent competition, with up to 250 of those spectators enjoying dinner before the show.
“This fundraiser is a spin-off of the America’s Got Talent television show, but with a few differences – the judges don’t comment on each performance, the event raises money for local charity Habitat for Humanity, and the audience will get to help choose a winner for the first time this year,” Mawhirter said. “The People’s Choice Award will allow audience members to vote for their favorite performance, in addition to the traditional Judge’s Choice Award.”
In addition to the talent competition and guest performances from local celebrities, the event also features a silent auction made up of donated works of art from local craftsmen. The idea behind the silent auction is to showcase the visual arts, as well as the performing arts.
Habitat for Humanity uses the funds raised at this event to support its building projects that provide decent, affordable housing to families in Barton County that may not otherwise be able to own their own home. Anyone interested in purchasing tickets or making a tax-deductible donation to the nonprofit organization may contact Mawhirter, 620-786-4896 or habitatbartoncounty@hotmail.com. Habitat for Humanity of Barton County’ also has a page on Facebook.