VIDALIA — Local folks — and a few from around the state — gathered Thursday night to celebrate and raise money to preserve the area’s musical heritage.

The Friends of the Delta Music Museum Foundation hosted a fundraiser at the Vidalia Conference and Convention Center Thursday night.

All of the money raised will go to the Friends of the Museum Foundation, Delta Music Museum Director Judith Bingham said.

Ticket reservations for the event went well, Bingham said.

“We had more (ticket reservations) than I can remember,” she said.

Heads bobbed and toes tapped as event participants listened to the tuneful stylings of Easy Eddie and the Party Rockers.

Concordia Bank representative Sylban Gremillion said he came out because the bank is a big supporter of the Delta Museum project.

Catherine Cartwright, also with Concordia Bank, said she saw the event as a chance to practice philanthropy.

“This is community service, and I believe in community service,” she said.

Lake Charles resident and member of the Delta Museum board Al Harris said he came to the event to hear the music and support the foundation.

“Mostly I came to see old friends,” he said.

Harris admitted he had more of a stake in the museum than some others.

“I’m featured in their Hall of Fame,” he said.

The Delta Music Museum, located at 218 Louisiana Ave. in Ferriday, opened in 2002 and is a part of the Louisiana Department of State’s Historic Museum program.

The museum is funded and staffed by the Secretary of State’s office.

The goal of the museum is to preserve the musical heritage of the Mississippi River Delta.

In July, the museum had a groundbreaking for a new facility, a reconstruction of the Arcade Theater that was formerly adjacent to the museum building.

The theater, which will house museum exhibits and community events, is slated to open in January.