In just over two weeks, a massive crowd is expected to fill the Troy fairgrounds for the inaugural Shriner’s Gospel Music Gala.

But the idea for the event just came to cofounder Mike Garner a few months ago.

“I came up with the idea and told my wife I wanted to raise money for Shriner’s Children Hospital,” Garner said.

Garner’s wife is Linda Senn, the other cofounder of the event and also one of the event’s two featured singers. The other singer is Grammy-nominated gospel artist Darrell Luster.

Despite having no connection to the Shriner’s, Garner said he felt compelled to do something to help the children’s hospital ministry.

“We wanted to do it to help the children,” Garner said. “Shriner’s covers 21 hospitals.”

Garner said they settled on hosting the concert at the Troy fairgrounds because it is the location of a Shrine club and because Senn was born in Troy and raised in Brundidge.

A litany of sponsors have already bought in to help Garner get the inaugural event off the ground, and he says he already has a long list of sponsors lined up for next year.

Garner said the intention is to keep the event going for years to come.

The Gala will be held Friday, June 23 on the fairgrounds at 7 p.m.

Adult tickets will be $5 and kids 12 and under will get in free.

In addition to the music, Garner said food vendors will also be at the event.

Anyone interested in sponsoring the event now or in the future can contact Garner at 334-733-4262.