The Lexington Foundation’s annual Night Out will take place at the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts on Thursday, September 20, at 6 p.m. The arts center is located at 2736 State Highway 30, Gloversville.

The theme of this year’s fundraiser gala is The Greatest Night Out, inspired by the hit movie musical The Greatest Showman. The party will feature live music from Flame and Our Secret Love Society, food and cocktails from Union Hall Inn Restaurant, roaming performers, raffle and silent auction items, and plenty of circus-themed surprises.

At the event, Lexington will be honoring businesses and individuals who have helped make Lexington what it is today. Century Linens of Gloversville will be recognized as the Employer of the Year for their partnership with Lexington. Century Linens has a strong record of hiring individuals with disabilities to be employees at their business. Assemblyman Marc Butler will be acknowledged for over 20 years of supporting Lexington and the men and women it supports. The Assemblyman retires at the end of 2018. Jack and Shirley Scott, owners of WENT Radio will be thanked for supporting Lexington from the day they bought the station in 1986. Jack and Shirley have been strong advocates for Lexington and individuals with developmental disabilities. The life and contributions of the late Brian Hanaburgh will be honored at the event. Brian served as Chair of the Transitions and Nigra Art Center Advisory Board and for over 20 years he served on the Lexington Foundation Board. Anita Hanaburgh and family members will be on hand to accept the tribute to Brian.

Proceeds from this special event benefit the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts, a community arts center open to the public that hosts rotating art exhibitions, concerts, fun family events, theater performances, day camps for children, and classes in music, dance, fine arts, yoga, cooking and more.

The Greatest Night Out will also celebrate the achievements of the students in the Transitions program and raise funds for its Elmore Scholarship Fund. Transitions is a post-secondary program that provides training in skills young adults with autism and other learning differences need to live independently and follow their college and career dreams. Its evidence-based curriculum covers social skills, health and wellness, independent living, self-management, and self-advocacy and leadership. Transitions offers weekend Mini Camps, weeklong specialty camps, summer programs, year-long programs and a Certificate of Completion in Career and Life Studies in collaboration with Fulton-Montgomery Community College.

“This is a great opportunity to gather and support Transitions and the Nigra Arts Center, two of Lexington’s newest programs,” said Shaloni Winston, Transitions founder and executive director of The Arc Lexington. “It is also a wonderful way for us to honor and thank those who have been so supportive of Lexington over the years. They have helped us become who we are and supported us to build programs such as the Nigra Arts Center which benefits the entire community and Transitions where we are helping to change the lives of young adults with learning differences throughout the northeast, and we are excited to welcome the public to share in our students’ success. We hope you will support our work by attending the Greatest Night Out and contributing to our scholarship fund.”

Individual tickets for the Night Out are $100. Young professionals under the age of 40 can purchase tickets for $75. Tables for 10 and several sponsorship levels are also available. For more information, visit http://thearclexingtonfoundation.org/2018-night-out.