SIKESTON — Get ready to dance the night away and get groovy.

Sikeston’s Missouri Delta Medical Center is having its disco-themed Missouri Delta Foundation Benefit Ball at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11 at the Sikeston Armory.

According to Amy Alcorn, executive director of the Missouri Delta Foundation, the hospital ball began in 1980 as a way to raise funds for the Foundation. The event has become an important social gathering in the community over the years and is considered Sikeston’s signature black-tie event, with nearly 500 supporters from Sikeston and the surrounding communities attending, she said.

Alcorn said the benefit ball is a biennial event, and it is a gathering for people in the community to have the opportunity to support the hospital while having fun.

Tickets are $175 per person, and Alcorn said dinner, drinks and a band are all included in the price. Soul Shockers of Memphis, Tennessee, will perform at the ball beginning at 8 p.m.

Alcorn and Sharon Urhahn, MDMC’s director of marketing, both said ball proceeds were originally earmarked for a general fund for the hospital, but in recent years, proceeds from each ball have been earmarked for a specific need.

“This year, the money raised for the hospital ball will go to support the Lawrence Family Medical Building, which is Occupational Medicine, Podiatry and ReStart,” Alcorn said.

According to Alcorn, it’s the new building that opened in August at 203 Plaza Drive in Sikeston.

There are no dress codes, according to Alcorn, and people are welcome to wear suits, business casual, ball gowns or shorter dresses to fit the disco theme.

Alcorn said all are welcome to purchase a ticket to the ball.

“It’s all inclusive; we want everyone to feel like they are welcomed,” Alcorn said.

According to Alcorn, they have sold over 300 tickets so far.

Urhahn said there will be games and raffles with a variety of items at the event.

Urhahn said many raffles are donated by businesses, with one raffle in particular being a diamond bracelet donated by Sam’s Fine Jewelry.

According to Alcorn, the ball is a significant community event.

“It brings the community together all in one place to support the hospital,” Alcorn said. “When businesses come to look at Sikeston for opportunities for growth for their businesses, the two things that they look at are what the medical center is like and the education. It’s important for us to be on the cutting edge of all things medical so that we are growing for our community.”

Alcorn said months in advance, a lot of the community volunteers their time to help prepare for the ball, and praised all of their hard work.

Urhahn said MDMC is a community anchor and that the hospital ball is something she looks forward to.

“Every time we have the ball, I look forward to seeing all of the support that we have from individuals and employers in the area,” Urhahn said. “It’s so refreshing to see all the people come together to help support us.”

To purchase a ticket for the Benefit Ball or to learn more about the event, visit  https://www.missouridelta.com/foundation/foundation-events/hospital-ball/