Forget the typical ballroom fundraiser with tables resembling oversized wedding cakes and stuffy speeches—Sunday night’s Price to Play benefit in Demorest was something entirely different. Hosted at Holden Oversoul Kitchen & Oyster Bar by Chef Jamie Allred, the sold-out event combined good food, good music, and a great cause in a relaxed, welcoming setting.
The benefit raised money for Price to Play, a nonprofit working to build an inclusive playground at Demorest Springs Park. The proposed space will feature sensory panels, wheelchair-accessible surfacing, and equipment designed so that children of all abilities can play together.
The perfect Southern set-up
Held under the warm glow of string lights, guests mingled beneath a covered patio and moved freely between indoor and outdoor seating. Volunteers who kindly donated their time and tips to the cause helped run the event.
The Brella Studio art truck kept kids engaged while parents enjoyed live acoustic music from Eric Thurmond and dined buffet-style on various offerings. The night’s menu included Rappahannock oysters, a whole Meishan hog, Springer Mountain chicken sliders, Texga Farms beef, hot dogs, sides, and banana pudding—refilled generously until closing.
The evening event ran smoothly. It was a true community effort.
“This is great,” said Marcia Hamil, a local mover and shaker and the creator behind Bites and Bubbly, as she watched children weave between tables. “It’s a good turnout.”
Seated beside her was Downtown Development Authority member and city councilman Shawn Allen, there to support the cause—and enjoy some outstanding barbecue and seafood.
Beyond the event
The Americans with Disabilities Act created a baseline for public accommodations, but Price to Play wants to go beyond minimum compliance to promote shared public space.
The planned playground reflects trends in modern civic design, where accessibility is understood as a core component of community planning rather than an afterthought.
Demorest Springs Park, a sundappled oasis in the heart of the city, is positioned as a practical and symbolic site for the initiative.
The estimated cost for the project ranges in the hundreds of thousands. Mayor Jerry Harkness has voiced support, and residents like Allred are using their businesses to fundraise. Events like the one on Sunday help generate both money and awareness.
The Holden Oversoul benefit raised nearly $6,000 toward the playground’s installation cost.
“This far exceeded our expectations for this event,” said Allred. “Thank you, everyone!”
While the playground initiative is still in development, Sunday’s fundraiser signaled more than just financial support—it proved that inclusion isn’t just a big-city ideal.
As the music faded and tables cleared, the message was clear: inclusion starts locally. And it doesn’t take a ballroom or a table dressed like a wedding cake to make it happen.
