PBES Fundraiser Beach Ball is Friday

Friday night is the Pensacola Beach Optimist Club's big fundraiser, the Beach Ball to benefit Pensacola Beach Elementary School.

"It's going to be a wonderful time for a wonderful cause," Mary Claus, President of the Pensacola Beach Optimist Club, said.

Pensacola Beach Elementary School is a blue ribbon school, which is the highest level of education standard. All schools in the nation are eligible but only a couple of dozen are chosen annually.

PBES is a charter school and needs thousands of dollars to stay open. Students need an ITV studio and general technology to bring them up to date with the new millennium. The Optimist Club Beach Ball will aim to help the school reach this goal through this annual fundraiser.

The Beach Ball is dinner and dancing event with the theme "Fantasy Island, a visit to the 70s," featuring Joe Occhipinti's a 10 piece band, play hits from the 70s, including favorites by Chicago, Beatles and Bee Gees. Joe Occhipinti is donating his band's services toward the evening. The event is going to be at the Hilton Pensacola Beach Gulf Front.

Tickets are still available for the event, and there will be a drawing for a total of $5,000 in increments between $100 and $2,500.

Attire ranges from black tie optional to 1970s disco or hippie clothing, if that's what makes you comfortable.

"It's the Beach Ball, you don't have to wear a tux if you don't want to," Claus said.

Cocktails begin at 6 p.m. and a surf and turf dinner begins at 7 p.m.

For details, or to purchase tickets, call 850-384-7436.