The spirit of Cinco de Mayo will be arriving a month early this year.

The Greenville Area Arts Council

(GAAC) is going &#8220south of the border” with plenty of colorful decorations, a live mariachi band and spicy treats during April's &#8220Mexican Fiesta”.

The arts council's annual fundraiser is slated to kick off at 6:30 p.m., Saturday, April 8, 2006, at the Butler County Fairgrounds.

&#8220We feel this will be a really fun event for everyone. Who doesn't love all the color and excitement of a fiesta?” Nancy Idland of the GAAC said.

The event includes a silent auction featuring hundreds of items to bid on, as well as gaming tables for the guests' entertainment.

All GAAC members are reminded to return their reply cards to Membership Chair Roberta Gamble this week if they plan to attend. The gala benefit and silent auction is free to all GAAC members, who can enjoy complementary food, beverages and entertainment that evening.

However, the upcoming Mexican fiesta is also open to anyone interested in having a enjoyable evening as they help support the arts in the Camellia City, council members say.

Tickets are available for $25 per person and can be purchased by contacting Gamble at 382-3414.

&#8220We would love to have people come and join us for the fiesta who are not currently GAAC members. The wonderful, traditional Mexican menu and beverages we are planning, the band, the auction – all this fun is well worth it for a three-hour event,” Idland said.

Gamble says the benefit's silent auction will offer browsers &#8220a real variety” of items. Everything from original art, custom-made jewelry and antiques, to certificates for a wide range of services – from a relaxing massage to an oil change for your car – can be bidden on.

A variety of special gift baskets for pet lovers, sports fans and much more will also be auctioned off that evening.

&#8220It's a fabulous opportunity to get some great buys and to help our very worthy cause,” Gamble said.

Monies raised by April's event will go toward the costs of mounting GAAC productions. The council has brought a variety of professional shows to the city over the years, including award-winning Broadway musicals such as &#8220Seven Brides for Seven Brothers,” &#8220Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,” and &#8220Funny Girl,” master illusionists, popular musicians

&#8220Three on a String” in concert, and much, much more.

&#8220Come out and join us on April 8 for lots of fun and excitement,” Idland said.

For more information, contact Roberta Gamble at 382-3414.