BAY MINETTE, Ala. — Several community activists, along with the Abba Temple Shriners have decided to boil corn to bolster disaster-relief funds.

A corn boil will be held 5-9 p.m. Friday at the Carol Hodgson Arena on Pine Grove Road to raise money for the American Red Cross, according to Bay Minette City Councilman Mike Phillips. Advanced tickets cost $10, and tickets at the gate will cost $15.

Phillips explained that he and wife Jenny, along with Sonny and Kathy Dobbins, James and Cathy Phillips and Bill and Sam Godbey, are organizing the event to replace recent funding-cuts by Baldwin and Mobile counties and United Way.

“We’re just trying to help them out as much as we can and to bring some people out that haven’t seen the arena yet,” he said.

Organizer James Phillips said the group hopes to offset those budget cuts.

“We just felt like we could step up and try to replace some of that money,” he said.

Mike Phillips explained that the groups expects 200-300 people to attend the event at which ticket purchases include 400 ears of boiled corn and 300 pounds of boiled potatoes, beer and Pepsi products and live entertainment by Big Daddy’s Remedy, as well as raffle entry for more than $4,000 worth prizes that include a Regions Bank green bicycle and a 30-alt, 6 rifle.

The arena is covered, so the event will take place rain or shine, according to the councilman.

Organizers said they hope to add to the $4,400 raised by the recent fire department boot drives held in  Bay Minette and Crossroads.

“There’s no overhead in this, and every dime is going to the Red Cross,” James Phillips said.

For more information, email Mike Phillips at mtphillips@ci.bay-minette.al.us.