Spring is in the air, so put on your dancing shoes and don your favourite dress, because it’s time to party for the women of Jasper.

It may be the innaugural year, but organizers are hoping Spring Fever Ladies Night Gala will become an annual event to help female Jasperites unite and let their hair down in the name of two good causes that directly impact women in Jasper.

Sylvie Boocock, an organizer of the event, said the evening will be “dinner, dancing, silent auction and all the proceeds are going to be split evenly between HIV West Yellowhead and the Jasper Jugs.”

Reminiscing of an event she witnessed as a Brownie, where she volunteered to check coats so she could see the women of Jasper “parade by in their beautiful dresses” as they attended a fundraiser, Boocock said she “loved every minute of it so I thought it would be fun to do something similar because we don’t have enough reasons to dress up and have fun in this town.”

Jasper Jugs is a local group consisting of eight women who will walk 60 km this August in the Weekend to End Breast Cancer, said Laurie-Ann Reddick, event organizer and Jasper Jugs team captain. 

Andrea Watson, event organizer and director of HIV West Yellowhead, said that “HIV West Yellowhead is about supporting the women in our community to make healthy choices relating to sexual health. The majority of the work we do is prevention and education, so empowering women to make healthy lifestyle choices so they don’t put themselves at risk for HIV and aids and that encompasses a lot.”

The trio of organizers said that while the event aims to raise awareness and focus on medical and social issues that affect women the night will not be spent listening to long speeches and discussion of the two causes.

“We just want it to be a fun fundraiser with the proceeds going to these organizations,” said Watson, adding that it was sort of a ladies night “resurrection” for women to “mix and mingle and get to know other ladies that you might not have an opportunity to meet in the community.”

“It’s about getting a whole bunch of strong women together to celebrate some causes that are near and dear to us and have an enjoyable evening with lots of fun, entertainment and at the same time deal with some real issues that need to be thought about,” said Boocock.

With more than a decadent meal on offer (which is peanut-free, has a vegetarian option, and is created by the chefs at Papa Georges), the event will also have a silent auction that will not only display the artistic talents of locals but all proceeds will go directly to support the two causes.

“We have some incredible artwork there ... [including] an original watercolour by Dianne Way... and a lovely painting by Mary Jo Bagers that’s valued at about $700,” said Reddick.

And if you like to get your groove on, there will be dancing, games, raffles and door prizes to keep the night light-hearted and fun-spirited.

“We have [someone] who is going to play some live jazz music for cocktails and over supper and then we’re going to have a live DJ that’s going to be playing music of all varieties to create the party atmosphere,” said Watson.

So far the event has proven popular, Reddick said, adding that tickets are going fast. 

Local businesses that would like to support the night can donate items for the silent auction by contacting Deb at 780-852-5247. Tickets can be purchased for $35 at Bombshell, HIV West Yellowhead, Seton General Hospital and Astoria Hotel. Cocktails start at 6 p.m. on March 28.