WAYNESBORO, Pa. — Journey back a hundred years and support Alexander Hamilton Memorial Free Library as it is transformed into a Speakeasy Saturday, Sept. 12. Doors open at 7 p.m.
Proceeds from the 1920s-style party will go toward library operations, in particular supporting free programming for patrons.
“We have a particular focus on the five literacies: basic, financial, social and civic, health, and information literacy,” according to Tallie Parks, library manager. “We also focus on helping patrons understand how to access important social services in Pennsylvania.”
“People are encouraged to dress up in cocktail hour attire,” Parks added. “Period attire is optional. Connor Diaz, son of library director Julie Diaz, will be bringing a 1912 film camera to take photos of guests as they enter and then they will be available for pickup at the end of the event.”
Guests will be offered refreshments catered by Christine’s Cafe designed to be authentic to the 1920s and the swinging flapper party era, noted Parks. There will be four stations throughout the library — Casino Center, Gatsby’s Grotto, Silent Film Spot and Capone Corner — each with different mixed drinks and hors d’oeuvres. There also will be a beer and wine bar provided by Michaux Brewing Co., with library staff serving as bartenders.
Sponsors are Kornfield and Benchoff, Grove-Bowersox Funeral Home and Doug Tengler. Other sponsors will be recognized during the event.
In Gatsby’s Grotto, live ragtime music will be provided by Knock on Wood Marimba.
Guests can solve a mini mobster escape room in Capone Corner. “The story is that the guests decided to hide out in the office of an infamous mobster when the ‘fuzz’ came to break up the party,” Parks said. “However, they accidentally set off a booby trapped explosive and have to disable the bomb before they all go up in flames.”
In the Silent Film Spot, silent film shorts will be played. At 7:30 and 8 p.m., guests can test their 1920s trivia knowledge — from classic films to funny flapper slang.
The Silent Film Spot also will feature a silent auction, where guests can bid on baskets of merchandise donated by local businesses including Sugar Hollow Farms and the Vintage Flame. One basket will include a gift certificate for an eight-person wine tour and tasting from Adams County Winery.
Casino Center highlights
Guests have the option of playing three games from 7 to 9:30 p.m. in the Casino Center. “To incentivize people to play the games, winners will receive raffle tickets for a prize basket,” Parks said.
Games include the Human Slot Machine. “Instead of a machine, three people sit side by side with a divider between them,” she added. “When a player pulls the lever, the three people select a fruit. If two people pull the same fruit, the player gets one ticket. If all three people pull the same fruit, then the player gets two raffle tickets.”
During Dart Poker, cards will be displayed on a board, and players have to shoot a better hand — a combination of cards better than their opponent — to win a raffle ticket.
In the Pony Game, players each get a horse to race on a board. “They determine the number of spaces their horse moves with a dice roll,” according to Parks. “The person who gets to the end first wins and gets a ticket. Guests will also have the option of buying raffle tickets, one for $5 or three for $10, to win the same prize basket.”
There also will be a 50/50 Game. “We will have a large display with about 50 cards lined up. When a guest buys a card for $20 we write their name under it and give them a raffle ticket. At the end of the night we randomly pull a ticket. The winner gets half the pot and the library keeps the other half,” Parks said.
Tickets are $75 each including a Daisy Deal (named for Daisy Buchannan from “The Great Gatsby”) or $330 for five. They are available through Sept. 7 at the library, 45 E. Main St. or at ahmfl.org.
For more information, call 717-762-3335.
