Last year the jousting, horse-mounted knights drew a big crowd and raised a lot of money for Ceres High and Central Valley High students. The success of that first Imperial Knights event in 2009 is what has event organizers running at a full gallop for planning a similar event at a Ceres roping arena this month.
The Imperial Knights Production Company's show is similar to the Medieval Times venue in Southern California and Orlando, Florida. Chapman said last year's event was "huge" with about 50 dinner tables sold and 400 to 500 spectators in the bleachers. The event raised over $20,000.
The Imperial Knights dinner and show is set for Tuesday, Sept. 14 at the Diamond Bar Arena, 6055 Central Avenue southwest of Ceres. The event is being cosponsored by the city of Ceres and the Ceres Chamber of Commerce.
The Imperial Knights show will run to about 7:30 or 8 p.m. and include some audience participation, said Chapman.
Pre-joust activities, exhibitions and displays will also be included.
"It's a fun family event," she said. "We hope this year that it's bigger."
Tickets for dinner with unreserved bleacher seating is $20 per person. For those who opt for the show only without dinner the price is $10. Reserved tables with arena seating for eight persons is $300 per table. Approximately 42 tables have been sold with a maximum of 70 tables being available. Tickets may be purchased from Ceres High School's Shawna Nunes at 541-4795, Central Valley's Nicole Chapman at 312-0446; or from Diamond Bar Arena owner Shane Parson, 608-5704. A lot of student clubs at both schools are selling tickets for a share of the proceeds, said Chapman.
Gates open at 5 p.m. with dinner at 6:30 p.m. and performance at 7:30 p.m.
Dinner consists of turkey legs barbecued by the Ceres Lions Club, salad, beans and dinner roll. Food, some of it donated by the community and prepared by volunteers, will be served by notable community members acting as wenches and servants.
The traveling show came to Ceres because the troupe from Norco called Parson about the possibility of boarding their horses on the way up and down Highway 99 to other venues. "In their conversation with Shane is how this came about."
The Imperial Knights Production Company's show is similar to the Medieval Times venue in Southern California and Orlando, Florida. Chapman said last year's event was "huge" with about 50 dinner tables sold and 400 to 500 spectators in the bleachers. The event raised over $20,000.
The Imperial Knights dinner and show is set for Tuesday, Sept. 14 at the Diamond Bar Arena, 6055 Central Avenue southwest of Ceres. The event is being cosponsored by the city of Ceres and the Ceres Chamber of Commerce.
The Imperial Knights show will run to about 7:30 or 8 p.m. and include some audience participation, said Chapman.
Pre-joust activities, exhibitions and displays will also be included.
"It's a fun family event," she said. "We hope this year that it's bigger."
Tickets for dinner with unreserved bleacher seating is $20 per person. For those who opt for the show only without dinner the price is $10. Reserved tables with arena seating for eight persons is $300 per table. Approximately 42 tables have been sold with a maximum of 70 tables being available. Tickets may be purchased from Ceres High School's Shawna Nunes at 541-4795, Central Valley's Nicole Chapman at 312-0446; or from Diamond Bar Arena owner Shane Parson, 608-5704. A lot of student clubs at both schools are selling tickets for a share of the proceeds, said Chapman.
Gates open at 5 p.m. with dinner at 6:30 p.m. and performance at 7:30 p.m.
Dinner consists of turkey legs barbecued by the Ceres Lions Club, salad, beans and dinner roll. Food, some of it donated by the community and prepared by volunteers, will be served by notable community members acting as wenches and servants.
The traveling show came to Ceres because the troupe from Norco called Parson about the possibility of boarding their horses on the way up and down Highway 99 to other venues. "In their conversation with Shane is how this came about."
