The Hartselle Fine Arts Center will have its annual benefit dinner and silent auction Saturday. Tickets are still available. | Randy Garrison

The Hartselle Fine Arts Center Dinner and Silent Auction will be Saturday at the Hartselle Fine Arts Center.

Tickets are still available to attend this event, the proceeds of which help in the continued restoration of the building and enable the board of directors to keep the building open.

The event begins at 6 p.m., as attendees can bid on items donated by local merchants and businesses. Even if you choose not to attend the banquet, residents are welcome to bid on the many items on display. Silent auction items include lawn and car equipment, gift certificates to favorite eating establishments and local retail stores and too many other items to list.

Please come out and help raise the funds needed to operate and maintain this historic building.

Fifteen years ago when the new F.E. Burleson School was completed on Bethel Road and the last bell rang on the College Street campus, the almost 100-year-old building was in bad shape.

While some thought the grand old lady had seen her best days and the wrecking ball would put here out of her misery, another group of folks had the foresight to see what she could be again. Due to this foresight, the Hartselle Fine Arts Center was born or maybe reborn.

In 2000, the roof leaked in many different places. The columns on the front porch were dingy and not very stately. The ceilings in a couple of the upstairs rooms were water damaged and the tiles were falling down. The auditorium that once housed school plays and concerts was covered, and the stage was empty.

This group of folks worked many hours and put in a lot time raising money to save the grand old building. One of the ways money was raised was by holding a dinner and silent auction. The first few events were held under a tent in the parking lot because the building was not in condition to hold an event inside.

From the proceeds of the first few dinners and auctions and through donations and grants, the roof was repaired and other work was started to bring the building back to its days of glory.

Over the years, the original wood floors have been uncovered and refinished back to their original look. The two main upper floors are now centrally heated and cooled, a handicapped ramp has been added and the auditorium and balcony have been restored back to their original look. The stage is home to music, plays and concerts once again.

For more information about attending this weekend’s activities call the center at 256-773-4046 or 256-227-2538. All are welcome and you encouraged to attend.