The YMCA of Marquette County will celebrate its 25-year anniversary Saturday with a Stompin’ Celebration event to kick off at 6 p.m. Tickets are $25. (Journal file photo)

MARQUETTE — To celebrate 25 years of service to the community, the YMCA of Marquette County will host a Stompin’ Celebration from 6 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday in the YMCA gymnasium.

The adults-only evening will kick off with a cocktail hour and follow with a country western-themed dinner featuring pulled pork, baked beans, cole slaw, salad, homemade mac and cheese and sloppy joes. After dinner, attendees can participate in games such as a cake walk; musical chairs with a twist; a bag toss tournament; and learn line dancing or zumba from a YMCA instructor, said Jenna Zdunek, CEO of the Marquette County YMCA.

“There’s so many fancier events going on when we started this last year we thought it’d be fun to have a more casual event,” Zdunek said.

Those attending are encouraged to wear their best country western attire, though it’s not required.

The event is an opportunity to celebrate the YMCA and its members, donors, staff and the greater community, Zdunek said.

“This means a lot to me. I’ve worked at the Y 18.5 years now. The Y is just such a huge part of my life. I think 3.5 ago we didn’t even know if we’d be here now because of all the unfortunate missteps of the past, so the fact that we’re even celebrating our 25th anniversary and getting back on our feet and doing better and better every year, it’s huge,” Zdunek said. “It’s very emotional for me, because it was a really rough couple of years and the light at the end of the tunnel is getting bigger and bigger, and we are here celebrating us.”

As the YMCA moves forward in the community, leaders hope to expand community impact and continue to help Marquette County in three areas: youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, Zdunek said.

“The Y does so much. It’s so much more than a swim and gym,” she said. “We have our cancer survivorship program our Parkinson’s program and all the financial assistance we provide to families in need that can’t afford to put their child in karate or swim lessons, and so that’s just huge. The Y is home to a lot of people. There’s some people who don’t even come here to workout, but they just come and have their social time; it might be the only place they go all day outside of their home.”

Tickets for the anniversary event can be purchased at ymcamqt.org. Cost is $25 per ticket and includes dinner, drinks, prizes and games. You can also purchase a table for $250, which includes seating for eight and swag.

“It’s going to be a lot of fun to come and celebrate and we at the Y want to give back and have a fun night to show appreciation for everyone,” Zdunek said. “It’s just a great way to say thank you to everyone for making it possible for us to have a YMCA.”

Trinity Carey can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 206.