Michael Kent, who blends comedy, magic and “mind-blowing fun” into his performance, headlines the Giggle Gala this weekend. (MICHAEL KENT VIA FACEBOOK)
Ready for a good laugh? The kind that leaves you chuckling later that day? What if those chuckles came attached to raising money for a good cause?
That’s the inspiration behind The Giggle Gala, a one-night fundraiser coming to the Holland Theatre on Saturday, Aug. 29. Doors open at 3:30 p.m. with the show starting an hour later.
The event is presented by—and for—the LoCo Kids Foundation as they raise money for the future home of the LoCo Kids Imaginarium children’s museum.
More than just a show, the Gala is described as an experience, a chance for people to participate in interactive activities, playful entertainment and hands-on fun.
According to Jordan McBride, founder and director of the foundation, the Gala is the brainchild of Lindsey McGlone and her business partner Chelsea Bray with Elle A. Design of West Liberty.
“They brought the idea to me,” McBride said. “I thought it was great. Then they took it and ran with it.”
The evening’s entertainment starts off with The Wonderdog Show—a jaw-dropping professional stunt dog act. These talented pups will impress the audience as they catch flying discs mid-air and race through complicated obstacle courses.
One of the talented dogs from The Wonderdog Show flies through the air during a recent show. The pups and their handlers from the professional stunt show are part of the Giggle Gala Saturday at the Holland Theatre. (THE WONDERDOG SHOW VIA FACEBOOK)
Next up will be headliner Michael Kent, who blends comedy, magic and “mind-blowing fun” into his performance.
But that’s not all. The Giggle Gala will include a pink carpet with paparazzi and photo opps, caricatures, face painting, merchandise, concessions, VIP tables with swag bags, a raffle, balloons and other surprises.
Money raised will go to the children’s museum at 149 W. Columbus Ave., Bellefontaine. More specifically, proceeds from the Gala will help them purchase a much-needed new front door. Currently, the building has an old, commercial, double-front door, but it’s in such bad shape they have to use a bungee cord to ratchet it shut.
As for the rest of the building—which sits just down the street from the Holland—it’s coming along.
Volunteers from CenterPoint Energy, Team Honda and Civista Bank pitch in during the United Way’s 2026 Community Care Day to demo the first two floors of the future site of the LoCo Kids Imaginarium children’s museum, 149 W. Columbus Ave, Bellefontaine. (LOCO KIDS PHOTO)
Last weekend, volunteers with the United Way of Logan County’s Community Care Day completed the demolition of the first two floors. Employees from CenterPoint Energy, Team Honda and Civista Bank all pitched in to lend a helping hand for the big endeavor.
Next, they’ll start asbestos remediation and take care of any toxic environmental hazards. The latter two projects are being paid for by a $65,000 State of Ohio Brownsfield grant.
Still, to open their doors, the foundation needs to raise about $3 million to renovate the four-story, 11,000-square-foot space.
“We’re in the beginning of the capital campaign,” McBride explained. “Donations and grants we’ve already received have allowed us to order windows and side doors and start construction on the inside.”
One of those donations was $25,000 from Mary Rutan Health toward the purchase of new windows. The foundation estimates replacing all the windows in the historic downtown building will cost approximately $180,000.
Having the community support through fundraisers like The Giggle Gala will help them move forward while, at the same time, providing a one-of-a-kind night out for the community.
“It’s shaping up to be a very, very fun event, and I’m really excited to see all of it come together,” McBride concluded.
Tickets for the show, which can be purchased online, are $17.60 for children and $38.40, $48.80 or $59.20 for adults. You can find out more at The Giggle Gala Facebook page or visit thegigglegala.com. Tickets can also be purchased through the Holland Theatre.
