Christmas at the Center culminates today with auction

If excitement is contagious, then Mack Gibson has given it to everyone he has been around the past few days.

Gibson, chairman Troy-Pike Cultural Arts Center’s board of directors, is always enthusiastic about events at the Johnson Center for the Arts. But he is especially excited about “Christmas at the Center” this year.

“Christmas at the Center” is the largest fundraiser for the Johnson Center each year and features a three-day silent auction and a dinner and live auction.

The silent auction opened at the Johnson Center for the Arts on Saturday and closes at 6:30 today. The dinner and live action at The Studio tonight is sold out.

“Today, is the last day that you can do your Christmas shopping at the Johnson Center for the Arts,” Gibson said. “The silent auction is a fun way to shop and, what I’m so excited about, is the quality of the items we have for bid. The quality of items and the variety is amazing. We’ve got anything that you could want for those on your Christmas list or things you might want for yourself or your home. I look around the Johnson Center and it’s hard to believe what an exciting shopping adventure this is.”

The items up for bid include designer dresses, artwork, vacation packages, shopping and dining in Pike County packages, designer sunglasses and purses and so much more.

“There’s so much you can’t take it all in,” Gibson said. “You couldn’t go anywhere and find a shopping opportunity like this. It’s not just shopping. It’s an adventure.”

Tonight’s events will get underway with Tree Lighting and Music at the Johnson Center at 6 p.m.

Entertainment will be by the First Baptist Church of Troy Ladies First Choral Group, the First Methodist Church of Troy Choral Group and Shelia Jackson. Admission is free and everyone is invited.

At 6:30 p.m. the silent auction will close and the bids will be awarded.

“Christmas at Center” silent auction shopping will be akin to a midnight madness sale where shoppers are trying to beat each other to the bargain.

“Except, the silent auction isn’t a bargain sale,” Gibson said. “The items are all high quality items. And, while you shop, you’ll have the opportunity to view ‘The Roots Exhibit’ that features the works of 40 local artists who are our friends and neighbors and the Christmas trees that are decorated by students from our local schools and businesses.

“And, to top all that, when you purchase a silent auction item, you are helping continue the art mission of the Troy-Pike Cultural Arts Center.”