The Downtown Merchants Association have planned a benefit for Clarence Searight. The event will be held at E.L. Turner Park on Sept. 19. Admission will be $5 for ages 8 and up.

Searight, a longtime employee of the City of Luverne, was recently diagnosed with cancer. Proceeds from the benefit will help curb the costs of treatment.

Plan on bringing lawn chairs, a healthy appetite and your dancing shoes to the all-day event.

A host of local bands and DJs have signed on to entertain. The family entertainment includes country acts, R&B musicians and rappers.

To help make the event a success, DMA is seeking donations and volunteers. Donations will be used to stock the concessions. Food donations of hot dogs, cans of baked beans, hot dog buns, chips and drinks will also be accepted.

In addition to the food donations, chicken plates will be available at lunchtime. Volunteers are taking pre-orders and will have a limited number of plates available for $6 on the day of the event.

To see how you can help, contact the Downtown Merchants Association at 334-301-3337 or the Chamber of Commerce at 334-335-4468.