Sock hop shindig raises over $6000

IT was a team effort to transform St Mary's Hall into Mansfield's first pop up American diner and turn back time to the 1950s to raise more than $6000 for Rosehaven Hospice. Catriona and James Wilson with Brendan and Jacki Fraser, Mark and Sharon Warren, and Liam Wilson took on the mammoth task of creating a night to remember. Thanks to more than 40 incredibly generous local sponsors and donations $6110 was raised for Mansfield's Rosehaven facility to be allocated towards much needed furniture to go outside each guest bedroom. Planning for the 1950’s Sock Hop shindig began well over a year ago following a successful Roaring 20’s soiree two years before. Tables of up to 10 party goers were sold with each of the tables uniquely decorating their tables in true 1950s style with all of tables looking amazing. The Buzzcat diner came alive with red carpet entry and plenty of Brylcreem and bobby socks. Brendan and Mark created the ultimate diner setting complete with a handcrafted bar and booths, checkered flooring, neon signs, a duke box, milk shake station and even two diner “waitresses” . DJ Liam “Bugsy” Wilson joined the diner to play popular tunes from the 1950s right through to today and had everyone up dancing through the evening. Jacki and Sharon worked their magic on the decorations to create a stunning display of giant ice creams cones with every detail covered right down to the sprinkles on top. Their artistic flair continued with the hugely popular photo booth they put together with sock hoppers able to capture all of fun moments of the evening. Kristy Gardiner and Paul Appleby also impressed the crowd with their roller skating skills throughout the night. The Wilson family always like to have a few surprises at their parties and this was no exception. There was a genuine American flag raised that was given to Catriona as a 17 year old exchange student in 1986. Everyone was then upstanding for the Star Spangled banner. Guests were treated to a surprise 1950s flash mob choreographed by Liam who rehearsed with the “Sock Hop Team Captains” over several weeks and they did a fantastic job. And no diner is complete without pizza deliveries thanks to Flaming Pizzas, Mansfield. Croupier Lucas Lehman ensured that poker was running throughout the night to a keen group of punters. Catriona and James were thrilled with the money raised and would like to thank everyone who purchased auction items on the night. “It has been an absolute pleasure for us all to be able create an immersive evening of colour, dancing, music and fundraising for such a great cause”, Catriona said. Catriona and James would personally like to thank Jacki, Brendan, Sharon and Mark for all of their hard work and their donations to Rosehaven, all of the local businesses who generously sponsored the event, Rose Gilder for sponsoring the best dressed award, Lucas Lehman for donating his time and to everyone who supported and attended our sock hop.

Sock hop shindig raises over $6000

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