LAKE PLACID – The Mirror Lake Inn Resort and Spa will host the 29th annual Joy to the Children benefit to support the Lake Placid Center for the Arts from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday.

Tickets are priced at $105 per person before the event by calling the LPCA?box office at 518-523-2512 or by visiting www.LakePlacidArts.org. Tickets cost $150 at the door.

The event consists of a silent auction, raffles, cocktails, a festive buffet, wreaths and kissing balls to purchase, nutcrackers painted by local artists, gingerbread houses and holiday decorations.

Items auctioned include artwork jewelry, artisan furniture, clothing and toys.

This annual benefit will be co-chaired by Kari Hoffman, Erin Perkins and Sharon Wood and raises funds to help support more than 100 free children’s workshops and individual programs reaching more than 34,000 individuals throughout our region.

Funds from the benefit help to support several programs including the Weibrecht School Day Matinee Series, which allows schools to bring their students to top-quality performances in theater, music and dance for a minimal cost; the free Young and Fun Arts Series, offered throughout the summer season on Wednesday mornings featuring a wide variety of kids entertainment; and free afterschool workshops offered in a variety of mediums at two different times throughout the year.

It is only through the annual Joy to the Children benefit gala that the LPCA has been able to offer a unique arts-in-education outreach program for the region.