The gala will be held at the Backcountry Winery located at 3533 Fenton Ave. in Stratford.

This is a fundraiser to support the Stratford Early Learning Center this year, but organizers hope this will become an annual event.

Rob Thomas from Ames will be entertaining at the Gala with country music, and Whatcha’ Smokin will be catering the meal. Tickets are $30 a person, $50 a couple, or a table for 6 at $200.

The Boots & Bling Gala is an adults-only fundraiser, not a school-sponsored event. It is sponsored by the Stratford Booster Club, with all proceeds going directly to support the Stratford Early Learning Center.

The evening will include an evening of music and dancing, raffle prizes and the crowning of the first ever Boots and Bling Gala King and Queen.

Katie Kinsella and Amy Peterson are the primary organizers of the event on behalf of the Stratford Booster Club.

“This is the first year we are hosting this event,” said Kinsella in an interview earlier in the year, “We believe it has strong potential to become an annual event and the winery has expressed interest in continuing as well.”

Kinsella said there will be a cash bar available and the cocktail hour begins at 5 p.m. followed by dinner at 6 p.m. Rob Thomas will be performing during cocktail hour and dinner. After dinner the floor will be opened up for dancing.

People are able to use venmo to reserve their tickets or they can get their tickets from the Early Learning Center. They can use venmo@Stratfordboosterclub and add in the comments how many tickets, a good way to contact them, and the name on the tickets.

“The Gala itself will include live music, dancing, a delicious meal, raffles, a King & Queen competition, and more,” Kinsella summarized, “Overall, it’s meant to be a fun, high-energy night for adults to get together, enjoy themselves, and support early childhood education in our community.”

The King & Queen contest is a fundraising activity. It costs $5 to nominate someone to the Royalty Court, and guests can then vote for their favorites at $1 per vote throughout the evening. Later in the night, the winners will be announced based on the number of votes received. The winners will receive a small prize and be “crowned.”

This will be the first annual Boots and Bling Gala to be held at the Backcountry Winery in Stratford.

“Our goal with the event is simply to raise funds for the daycare to help purchase supplies and allow us to continue investing in our curriculum, classrooms, and the overall quality of care we provide for the children,” said Kinsella.