By Staff
CELEBRITY HORSES Miniature carousel horses signed by, front, actresses Delta Burke and Kirstie Ally and decorated by, back, Meridian artists Charlie Busler and Dave Kimbrell will be available at the April 6 auction. Proceeds of the Around Town Carousels Abound public art project will benefit Hope Village for Children. Photo by Carisa McCain / The Meridian Star
By Chris Allen Baker / staff writer
March 27, 2002
And early next month, the 55 table-top carousel horses they, other celebrities and area artists prepared will be auctioned in a fund-raiser for Hope Village for Children.
The fund-raiser begins 7 p.m. April 6 at the Meridian Little Theatre on Highway 39 North with a preview reception and silent auction. The live auction begins 90 minutes later, at 8:30 p.m.
Tickets are $75 a person, which includes heavy hors d'oeuvres, an open bar and live rock, jazz and blues music by Kabana. Food will include barbecue, stir fry, pasta and desserts. Dress is festive.
Debbie Martin, who co-founded the "Around Town Carousels Abound" project with Cater, said 55 fiberglass horses with painting kits were sent to celebrities and artists.
Four celebrities Tony Danza, Dolly Parton, Kirstie Alley and Delta Burke just signed their horses that were painted for them. The others painted and signed theirs. Table-top horses come in two sizes: 24 inches and 9 inches tall. The 24-inch horses don't have carousel poles, while the 9-inch horses have the poles.
Five of the horses up for auction are replicas of the life-size carousel horses around Meridian. The horses, large and small, are reminiscent of the Dentzel Carousel a national landmark in Highland Park.
All of the small horses can be seen at Cartmell Gallery or online at www.carouselsabound.com. Buyers can even place early bids on some of the table-top horses at the Web site.
Lauderdale County native and award-winning actress Sela Ward is listed as host for the event. Ward also is a founder of Hope Village, a home for abused and neglected children.
Ward, who could not be reached for comment, said in a prepared statement that she is "thrilled to see our community come together for this event. I am sure it will be a fun evening for all.
Lott, listed as honorary co-host, said through a spokesman Tuesday he will not be able to attend the auction.
Martin said about 100 reservations have been confirmed so far and as many as 250 guests are expected.