The 8th annual “Jeans & Bling” event is planned for 7PM., October 14, at the Texarkana Convention Center.  The event for adults features country music star Lucas Hoge, a Lip Sync Battle of local hair salons, raffles, large silent auction, barbeque buffet and games.

Lucas Hoge is a rising country music star with videos on Country Music Television.  He is one of Cabella’s brand ambassadors alongside musicians Luke Bryan and Justin Moore.  A passionate supporter of the U.S. military, Hoge has traveled the globe for the past 8 years performing for troops throughout the Middle East and beyond as part of the Wrangler National Patriot Tour.  His debut album “Dirty South” was released in early August and claimed the #5 spot on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart.  He rose to national fame as host of Animal Planet’s Last Chance Highway.  Hoge is a partner with Hero Outdoor Products as well as being highlighted by NRA Country as the Featured Artist for the month of July.

“We are excited to bring Lucas Hoge and his band to Texarkana.  For the past two years, we welcomed Dancing with the Stars’ performers, but wanted to change our theme to a country and western feel this year to keep our long-running event interesting to guests,” said Stefanie Brazile, Director of Development and Public Relations for Hospice of Texarkana. “This is our only event fundraiser for 2017 and we invite everyone who has been touched by hospice to support us by attending the event, buying a raffle ticket or making a donation on-line or by mail.”

Last year’s event also featured a Lip Sync Battle of local celebrities and was so popular that it’s coming back this year as “Sing at the Bling:  Battle of the Hair Salons”.  Competitors choose their song, or mix of songs, and lip sync for about four minutes in costume. The audience votes for their favorite group with money.  Hair Salons that are competing include:  A Cut Above, Joey’s Salon and TC Cosmetology.  “Through the years, we’ve included couples dance competitions and a cake decorating competition, but the Lip Sync Battle is a crowd favorite.  I have been asked by so many people if we were bringing it back,” Brazile said.  Reigning champion Matt Graves will emcee and perform, but not compete. There is a video of last year’s performers on the “Jeans & Bling Annual Benefit” Facebook page.

“Jeans & Bling” will offer a Texas Barbeque Buffet, a large Silent Auction and games.  There is a Raffle featuring two prizes and you pick which drawing you want to be entered into at the time of purchase.  Both prizes are worth $1,000 and the tickets are $15 each or two for $25.  You do not have to be present to win.  One prize is a Branson Condo Package which includes three nights at a Branson Condo which sleeps up to 6, plus a $500 Visa Gift Card. The other option is the “Grand Texarkana Dining Experience” and includes a total of $1,000 in gift cards from 20 local restaurants.

Hospice of Texarkana is the community-based, non-profit which was founded by The Junior League of Texarkana in 1985.  It is led by a volunteer Board of Directors and has helped thousands of patients and families cope with serious illness.  The agency is licensed to care for patients who live within 50-miles of Texarkana, Texas and Texarkana, Arkansas.

All proceeds stay local and help pay-down the note of the Hospice of Texarkana Care Center which opened in June, 2016. Tickets are only $60 and can be purchased at HospiceofTexarkana.org, by calling 903-794-4263, or on weekdays at either office:  2407 Galleria Oaks Drive, Texarkana, Texas, or 501 East 6th St., Texarkana, Arkansas.

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