March 29, 2024

Whodunit

The YMCA 2nd annual murder mystery and auction is slated for Saturday, Feb. 6, at Supertel Inn and Conference Center.

Image 1 of 2

After a team mascot is murdered, it’s up to a detective to figure out who did it and the motive behind the murder.

“It’s quite a difficult mystery we have created, so it’s going to take some thinking and detective skills to figure it out,” said Kelly Franklin, Southwestern Community College (SWCC) drama club coordinator.

For the second year, the SWCC drama club will provide interactive entertainment for the Southern Prairie YMCA's Mascot Murder Mystery Tailgate Party and auction. The fundraiser event will be held Saturday, Feb. 6, at Supertel Inn and Conference Center.

A social hour will kick off the evening at 5 p.m. Around 6 p.m., there will be a barbecue tailgate catered by The Windrow in Creston. The auction starts around 7 p.m.

Tickets, which include a meal, are $35 and may be purchased in advance of the event at Southern Prairie YMCA, 1201 W. Townline St. There will also be a cash bar. All proceeds from the event benefit YMCA membership and program assistance.

“The actors will be milling around and talking with guests in character,” said Raquel Linch, YMCA office manager. “At the end, guests will be able to turn in a paper with their best guess on who the murderer was.”

There will be a prize for the guest who correctly guesses the murderer.

“The Y wanted to do a mystery centered on the idea of a mascot dying,” Franklin said. “That led me to create characters who either wanted to be the mascot and didn’t get the part or, for other reasons, are out to get the mascot. We will just become part of the crowd like we’re invited to the event, too. When the person dies, one of the characters is a detective, and he has to lead the investigation.”

Nine SWCC students and Franklin will be in character throughout the evening.

Some of the auction items up for bid include a vacation package to Cancun, guitar lessons donated by Reiman Music and Sumner Lesson Studios, natural beef donated by Weisshaar Farms & Wallace Center, a family membership to the YMCA and a "Tailgate in Style" gift basket donated by Fredricksen Memorials. To view all the auction items, visit www.biddingowl.com/Auction/home.cfm?auctionID=6172.

There will also be a raffle to win one of two bicycles. Raffle tickets are $5 each and may be purchased at the YMCA. Winners do not need to be present to win, but tickets need to be purchased in advance.

“The tailgate theme ties in nicely with the Super Bowl the next day,” Linch said. “We encourage everyone to bring their team spirit and dress supporting your favorite sports team, whether that be a college team, national team, local Panthers or team YMCA.”