Picture a warm summer night as the fragrance of honeysuckle wafts across the Ohio River.

There, gliding down the waterway, is an elegant paddle wheeler, its glistening deck lights blazing through the dark night. The soft sound of a jazz band plays as platters of delicious food cover buffet tables. Couples dance or gaze out at the starry sky.

If you can picture that then you’ve envisioned the Southern Summer Night Rollin’ on the River, a one-night extravaganza of dinner, dancing and entertainment along the Ohio River on Friday, July 18.

This first major fund-raiser for the Ironton-Lawrence County CAO will feature a three-hour cruise down the Ohio River on the majestic Belle of Cincinnati, the flagship of the BB Riverboats line that provides cruises up and down the Ohio.

The four-deck vessel will offer music on each of three decks along with a gourmet five-star buffet. The dinner menu will feature honey-glazed ham, breast of chicken supreme with white wine cream sauce, fresh green beans with caramelized onions, glazed baby carrots, parsley new potatoes and a fresh mixed greens salad. Dessert will be New York-style cheese cake or a Granny Smith apple pie with caramel sauce. Beverages will include coffee, tea and water. A cash bar will offer soft drinks and wine.

Each of three decks will feature live entertainment from The Fugitives, a Sixties band, Joe Freeman’s country western band or J.B. Miller spinning the platters of party music.

On the top deck lounge chairs will enable guests to sit and enjoy the scenic trip down the river toward the Greenup Dam.

“This is the first ever significant fund-raiser for the CAO,” Joan Terry, executive assistant at the non-profit, said. “We want everyone to have a wonderful time.”

The deadline for tickets for Gold and Silver sponsors or tables for 8 or 10 is Friday. A gold sponsor is $2,000; silver is $1,500. Tables for 10 are $1,250 and for 8 is $1,000.

The deadline for individual tickets is July 10 and are $100. Checks may be made payable to ILCAO Community Benefit Fund and mailed to Joan Terry’s attention at Ironton-Lawrence Co. CAO at 305 North 5th St., Ironton, Ohio 45638. Credit cards are also accepted. For more information, contact Terry at (740) 532-3534 or Joan Terry@ilcao.org.