BATH — The Mud Boots & Black Tie Gala on Saturday, April 7, is the largest fundraiser of the year for the 40-year-old Chocolate Church Arts Center.

Dinner hosts donate all the costs of the meal so all the ticket price goes to support the Chocolate Church. Not only does the theme pair formal attire with the pragmatic, not-so-fashion-forward but beloved mud boots, there are two ways that guests can experience the event. This event has been done since 1997.

When guests purchase tickets ($50 each), they have their choice of having dinner in the home of a mudboots host or attend a dinner catered at the annex. The community comes together for dinner, then convenes for a party. After dinner, everyone will gather back at the Chocolate Church for a live concert by Downeast Soal Coalition, dessert, dancing and silent auction.

While fundraisers for nonprofits are commonplace, the 21-year-old tradition of Mud Boots & Black Tie involves hosts opening their home to welcome people for dinner, with community reaching out to community to support the local cultural arts organizations.

For more information on the Chocolate Church Arts Center’s Mud Boots & Black Tie Gala, call 207-442-8455.