In today’s tough economic times, dreams of seeing the “masters” play at Augusta National Golf Club, thoroughbreds clear the hurdles at Callaway Gardens’ Steeplechase or the checkered flag waved at Talladega, might be fast fading. But all of those exciting opportunities and more will go to the highest bidder at the Boots & Boogie Relay for Life fundraiser Saturday night, March 7 at Cattleman Park.

Krissy Pinckard, chair of the Boots & Boogie Relay team, said a live auction will be a highlight of the fundraiser that also features a party atmosphere, dancing, food and an opportunity to raise money for the fight against cancer.

Tickets for the Boots & Boogie fun night are $50 for single admission, $100 for a couple and $500 for a table of 12 with all proceeds going to the American Cancer Society.

“We’ve got fabulous auction items and those who think they can’t afford that much-wanted vacation might be able to do so – free – because all donations are tax deductible,” Pinckard said.

The auction items include two tickets to the Monday practice round of the Masters Golf Tournament with access to the hospitality suite, two passes to the Talladega spring and fall series and access to the pits and hospitality suites, deep sea fishing off the coast of Carrabelle, Fla. with a tournament fishing guide, terrace box seats for six at the Steeplechase at Callaway Gardens, a beach weekend at Alligator Point that includes sleeping for six and fishing off the back deck in the Gulf and passes for two at the Viking Golf Classic at Madison, Miss., including celebrity chefs cooking on site. Closer to home auction items include four alumni skybox seats at Troy University, dinner with world famous chefs, Gus and Cathy King at Whitewater Lodge, $250 shopping spree at Walkers Western Wear, four weekend passes to Jubilee City Fest, Heart of Dixie Trail Ride weekend with accommodations for riders and horses, choice of full weekend fishing or hunting at Hawkins Ridge Lodge, weekend trail ride for two at Eufaula with accommodations for riders and horses, general admission to Troy University games and four-man Buckhorn Clay Shooting passes.

The doors to Boots & Boogie open at 7 p.m. Saturday night at Cattleman Park. The auction starts at 8 p.m. and the dance contest at 9 p.m. “We’ll have three dance contest categories, the PC bop, the Texas two-step and the waltz,” Pinckard said.

“The judges will be Dovie Cutchen, K.T. Cole and Randy Moore. The theme for the night will be Western and we’ll have the original buckin’ bull from Gilley’s in Dallas and we’ll also have an area decorated like the Hangout in Panama City and other areas, too. Boots & Boogie is going to be a lot of fun and we’ll raise money for the fight against cancer so we hope that everyone will join us for this great event.”

Tickets may be purchased in advance by calling Pinckard at 334-566-7786, Lucie Wiggins at 334-268-1594 or Sandy Boutwell at 334-268-0846.

Tickets will be available at the door but Pinckard said it will be helpful in planning the food to have an idea of the number attending.