NEWPORT--Tickets are still available for Dare to Dine, an annual fundraiser for Leadership Cocke County.

Diners pay $25 for a ticket not knowing where they will have dinner. A couple of days before the scheduled event, they will be notified of which host home they will eat.

Twelve families will open their homes and serve dinner to the guests Saturday evening. Diners should be at their assigned host home at 5:30 p.m.

After dinner, diners from all of the homes will meet at a surprise central location for dessert.

According to committee member Valerie Stepp, space is limited for the event and she encourages everyone to purchase tickets early.

At the dessert location, there will be a silent auction with a variety of items, including a basketball autographed by Lady Vols Coach Pat Summitt, a print from Bass Pro, a two night stay at the Edgewater, free catering for 10 people from Sagebrush Steakhouse, Atlanta Braves tickets, gift certificates for various restaurants and for tanning visits, rafting tickets, cabin stays, and a 25-pound bag of peanuts.

Proceeds from the fundraiser will go toward Leadership Cocke County's annual government trip to Nashville and toward youth Leadership scholarships.

The planning committee is chaired by Linda Leslie. Other committee members are Angie Wilkerson, Valerie Stepp, Donna Jo Kaupp, Dawn Sams, and Phillis Hill. Jane Myers and Sherry Butler are in charge of the dessert portion of the event.

For more information, or to purchase tickets, contact Valerie Stepp at (423) 613-4900 or Angie Wilkerson at (423) 623-3095.