STARKVILLE — The ‘90s are coming back to the city this weekend, and art lovers can get a taste at the Starkville Area Arts Council’s annual Forks and Corks fundraiser.

The ‘90s “Back 2 School” fundraiser will be in State Theatre from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday. SAAC Program Coordinator Juliette Reid said Forks and Corks is getting a “refresh” this year, with its new location and new theme.

“Forks and Corks worked in the past as a nice fun dress up event,” Reid said. “But people change and things change, and people want more casual things. … People want to have fun. And we think this ‘90s theme will really throw people back.”

Reid said the new venue is also a “throwback,” as the SAAC has not held Forks and Corks at State Theatre since before the building was renovated.

Executive Director Mary Switzer said the fundraiser is changing from a formal dress-up event to a more informal come-and-go style event downtown, but the fundraiser’s focus is still on celebrating culinary arts in the city and raising money for art education programming.

Reid said the goal is for SAAC to raise $20,000 for its art education programs through the event, including ticket sales, the silent auction and other donations.

“It does help us do our art education programs, summer scholarships, fill our little libraries, and help us continue to do our free and low cost programming in Oktibbeha county and the Golden Triangle,” Reid said.

This year’s Forks and Corks will feature six local restaurants, including Walk-On’s, Harveys, Central Station Grill, the Coffee Depot, Proof Bakery and Big E’s Dinner Club. Switzer said the goal is to provide a diverse picture of the food available in Starkville.

“We try to get a pretty diverse group,” Switzer said. “We’ve got some restaurants that are making more of an entree-type dish. Some are doing more of an appetizer. And we’ve got two dessert options. … So you get a taste of Starkville.”

“We really appreciate all of the restaurants, because they donate their time and their staff and their food and their supplies,” Reid added.

The fundraiser will also include live music performed by the Luckytown Band. There will also be a silent auction featuring items from local small businesses, Switzer said, including names like Merle Norman Luna Bella, George-Mary’s, Dunkington and more.

With the new theme for Forks and Corks, Switzer said the event will include a ‘90s costume contest with an award presented to the best dressed at the end. Judges will include Micah Graves, Bobbi Burgess and a surprise judge.

“We’re looking forward to seeing everyone there in their flannel, bucket hats and butterfly clips to support a great cause!” Switzer said in a text message to The Dispatch.

Switzer said limited tickets are available at the door. VIP tickets provide attendees access to the balcony, with private bathrooms and a separate bar than the rest of the party.

Tickets can also be purchased online at shorturl.at/NnJg9.