INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. and#8212; If you havenand#8217;t purchased your tickets for the 13th Annual Incline Star Follies, itand#8217;s about time you do. This family-style Cabaret show, presented by roughly 100 local residents, hits the stage this weekend at the Cal Neva.

and#8220;Incline Star Follies is an electrifying Cabaret-style show filled with yet-to-be discovered talent from 52 children from the Incline Middle School and 47 community business owners and parents,and#8221; said Incline resident Kathie Goldberg, who wears two hats as the assistant show director and vice president of the Incline Star Follies Board. and#8220;When the school kids, teachers and community members take to the stage to lip-synch great songs and dance their hearts out, they just sparkle. You have to see it to believe it.and#8221;

Incline resident Ron Stichter agrees.

and#8220;The energy is contagious,and#8221; the event producer and Follies board president said. and#8220;It seems like the cast sets the bar on the quality of entertainment higher every year, and every year I hear that the show was the best ever.and#8221;

Although Stichterand#8217;s comments are highly optimistic about the quality of the show, the challenges to maintain this expectation get tougher every year. While hard costs for showand#8217;s production are covered within the Folliesand#8217; budget, cast members are on their own for costumes, make-up and accessories.

and#8220;When the economy was in good shape, we would have plenty of financial support and solid ticket sales,and#8221; he said. and#8220;Now it seems that weand#8217;re always looking for more financial support and hoping for a sell-out.and#8221;

Enthusiasm for this annual event stretches across the community and onto the stage, with key educators and business leaders taking on new roles outside of the classroom and workplace.

and#8220;My favorite aspect of the Follies is the opportunity to bond with community people of whom I would not see in the scope of my regular school day,and#8221; said Stacey Cooper, principal at Incline High School. and#8220;I enjoy the opportunity to smile, laugh, and learn interesting details from my community-family.and#8221;

Sharon Kennedy, site administrator at Incline Middle School, concurred: and#8220;I love being able to meet and spend time with the many community members who donate their time to benefit our schools.and#8221;

The business community is also well represented.

and#8220;I originally volunteered to participate in Star Follies because I wanted to support the kids in our community,and#8221; said Terri Kinsman, who works at the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe. and#8220;After that first time, though, I met so many wonderful people and had so much fun that I am hooked.and#8221;

Wayne Cameron, private mortgage sales manager at the Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, shared his own insight: and#8220;For me, the best part about the Follies is the camaraderie. Our lives get so busy with work and kids; the Follies allows us time to get together and laugh and enjoy some adult time with people who have become great friends.and#8221;

Star Follies is a major fundraiser for Incline Village public school children, raising more than $1 million over the past 12 years. With funding for local schools getting smaller by the year, students, residents, business owners and others all agree: this weekendand#8217;s event is a large reason to go support all the children jittering and jiving around on stage.

and#8220;I appreciate the way the cast, crew, and audience can put aside any differences and come together for such a worthwhile project,and#8221; said Dr. Johanna Koch, whoand#8217;s participated for many years. and#8220;I also like getting to meet people whose paths I might otherwise not cross.and#8221;

For information about the Incline Star Follies, stop by the Potlatch in Raleyand#8217;s Center or contact Goldberg at kathie_goldberg@yahoo.com or 775-831-6953.