ACS plans fundraiser with the Mudflaps
May 8—The American Cancer Society Telethon of Eastern Pennsylvania will be rocking the night away during a June 5 fundraiser featuring the popular oldies band The Mudflaps.
It will be held from the newly renovated Lakeside Ballroom on Route 54 in Barnesville. Doors open at 6 p.m. and entertainment begins at 7 p.m.
Longtime telethon Chairman Joe Krushinksy said the event will be one of the biggest the ACS has had since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We have been erring on the side of caution in our fundraising, including the telethon itself which was virtual and delayed by months," he explained.
The Mudflaps entertain audiences of all ages locally and throughout Pennsylvania. A large fan base follows the band for their renditions of '50s, '60s and '70s music. And because the band is often referred to as one of the all time best oldies bands in Pennsylvania, Krushinsky expects tickets to go fast.
"We have had three Mudflaps dances in recent years. They have always sold out. We have another already scheduled for November and probably next Valentine's Day, too, if all goes well," he said.
Sam Alonge, founding member of The Mudflaps, said the band is excited to get back to playing again.
"It seems like it's been an eternity," he said. "It's actually been about a year and a half now that everything has been postponed for The Mudflaps."
In addition to last year's telethon, the band was booked to play the Bloomsburg, Carbon County and Schuylkill County fairs. All were canceled because of the pandemic.
"I anticipate a good turnout for (the ACS event) because everyone wants to come out after being cooped up for so long," Alonge said.
Tickets are available for purchase at the ACS office in Lansford, Cal's Tires in Hometown and Lengyel's Restaurant in Nesquehoning. They can also be purchased at CancerTelethon .org/tickets or by calling 570-805-4555.
The cost is $25 in advance or $30 at the door. Tickets include beer and soda. Mixed drinks, wine and food will be available for purchase.
Krushinsky noted that the ballroom provides plenty of space for social distancing plus a roomy dance floor.
"It is huge and could normally fit a couple thousand," he said. "We, again, are doing this right for the situation we're in and going with a goal of just 350 attendance. That is still a few more than we've had at other venues, and in November we hope we are in a position to go big."
The ballroom was built in 1924, measures about 28,000 square feet and has a 10,000-square-foot maple wooden dance floor.
The ACS has held other events at the site, which changed hands a few years ago.
"The Lakeside Ballroom is a good partner. The new owners are great. They have put in new bathrooms, refinished the floor and made other improvements with more on the way," Krushinsky said.
Other upcoming events include a deck party and golf tournament at Mountain Valley Golf Course in Barnesville on May 21 and 22; Chinese auction/Super Prize Raffle at Lakeside Ballroom on July 24 and 25; ACS telethon at Penn's Peak in Jim Thorpe on Aug. 14 and 15; Raft, Race and Finishline Festival at Lehighton Outdoor Center and ZooStock free outdoor concert at Halftime Bar and Grill in Lansford; and Taste of Hope wine tasting and Mudflaps at Lakeside Ballroom on Nov. 20.
Contact the writer: jwhalen@standardspeaker.com
; 570-501-3592.
