FAIRHOPE, Ala. — June is the month many brides traditionally pick for their dream wedding, but nuptials in the dead of winter can be just as much fun if you invite a few thousand of your closest friends. That’s the idea behind “My Big Fat Fairhope Wedding,” the theme of the sixth annual Dancin’ in the Streets, a fundraiser hosted by the Page & Palette Foundation.

The event will be held New Year’s Eve, from 7 until 11 p.m., on De La Mare Avenue in downtown Fairhope, after which everyone may head over to Fairhope Avenue and Church Street for all the other festivities, including the city’s lighted ball drop and fireworks.

Karin Wilson, co-owner of Page & Palette Bookstore, said the event was moved to the end of the year to give more area residents a chance to take part.

“There’s so much to do in October now,” she said. “When we first started Dancin’ in the Streets, there was nothing. We didn’t want to compete with all the things going on in October and November.”

This event will most likely stand out anyway with folks encouraged to come dressed as their favorite member of a wedding, whether it be a bride, groom, ring bearer, flower girl or wedding singer.

“We have a theme every year,” Wilson said. “We had a contest and the foundation board voted on the wedding theme.” Prior themes revolved around the Broadway musical and hit movie, “Grease,” as well as the decades of the ’70s and ’80s.

Although it seems adults are the ones who most like to play dress-up, kids are invited as well. Wilson said, “There are few family things to do on New Year’s Eve, other than the city’s (Fairhope) celebration.” She added this event will also provide an environment families can enjoy.

Wedding hors d’oeuvres, drinks and a silent auction with a New Year’s resolution theme will be part of the fun. Also planned is live music by Rumor Mill and plenty of games.

Some of the silent auction items are cakes from area bakeries and grocery stores, as well as 10 $1,000 gift certificates from the McCollough Institute for Appearance & Health in Gulf Shores.

Another item on the block that evening is a commemorative sculpture that is a crafted and penned collaboration between renowned artist Bruce Larsen and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Rick Bragg. The 8-foot-tall “Recession Peacock,” like many of Larsen’s other works, is made from found objects, and is described as being symbolic of the color and elegance of the New Year’s celebration.

Bragg has created a related short story that will be permanently affixed to the piece. He writes in part, “Before, it appears nothing more than a dressed up turkey buzzard, a slightly fancy barn fowl. But then, with the flick of its tail feathers, it becomes something glorious. It is a good thing to remember in times like these. I will never forget the first one I ever saw. I was on a barnyard beside a sawmill in northeastern Alabama, in the foothills of the Appalachians, playing with a bunch of other red-dirt urchins in the wood chips.”

The narrative that follows describes the curiosity of youth as the boys approach the unusual creature. They learn that some things, people or even a new year can be more than perceived — and there is hidden potential in everything and everyone.

The finished sculpture will be on display at Page & Palette, 32 S. Section St. in Fairhope, the week before the event for prospective buyers to view. If you are unable to attend Dancin’ in the Streets, sealed bids for the sculpture will be accepted prior to the evening’s silent auction.

Wilson said something new is being added to the New Year’s Eve fun. Runnin’ in the Streets, a 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run, will be held at 3 p.m. It will begin alongside the bookstore and proceed through scenic Fairhope neighborhoods.

A post-race party featuring assorted foods, beverages and music will follow.

Race registration costs are $20 in advance and $25 the day of the event for adults 21 and older, and $15 in advance/$20 day of event for participants age 20 and younger.

The same prices apply for that evening’s Dancin’ in the Streets activities. There is special combo price for both Runnin’ & Dancin’ if purchased in advance, which will save you $5.

For the most festive among us, you may rent a tent on De La Mare Avenue for your personal wedding party. Each size tent includes 12 Dancin’ in the Streets tickets (a $240 value). A 10-by-10 tent may be reserved for $350, and will include one 8-foot table and 15-by-15 tents are $400, and will include two 8-foot tables. E-mail karin@pageandpalette.com for tent reservations.

The man of honor for the day’s events will be Pete the Cat, the creation of artist James Dean. Dean decided to quit his career as an electrical engineer in 1997 and become a full-time artist. He started selling drawings at tent festivals. Then in 1999, he drew a picture of his black cat named Pete. He knew immediately that Pete would develop a strong following, but had no idea the feline would take over his art.

Pete is featured on both sides of the official, long-sleeve event T-shirt. People who participate in Runnin’ in the Streets will get a free T-shirt. Page & Palette has the shirts now, and they may be purchased separately from the run for $15 each.

The Page & Palette Foundation benefits education in Baldwin County by helping enable public and private schools to meet the funding challenges in the areas of reading, fitness and the arts.

The foundation has donated more than $140,000 to charitable causes so far, including FEEF, LIFT Tutoring Program, OutwardBound and enrichment programs in area schools.

This year, the proceeds of the two events will benefit school libraries, art education, the Young at Art Scholarship Program and health education within the schools, according to Wilson.

You may register for the run online at www.active.com until midnight on Dec. 29. Preregistration is also possible by mail (entries must be postmarked by Dec. 24), or in person at McCoy Outdoor Co. on Springhill Ave in Mobile and Page and Palette until noon on Dec. 29. Race day registration will take place at Page and Palette from 1–2:30 p.m.

A special incentive is being offered to young runners from area schools. In addition to other contributions, the Page & Palette Foundation will give back $1 for every student who registers through their participating school.

Dancin’ in the Streets tickets are now available at Page & Palette.

For more information, call (251) 928-5295, or visit www.pageandpalette.com.