The local non-profit organization, Friends of the Public Libraries of Cullman County, is asking for the public’s assistance in investigating a murder that will take place on the evening of Thursday, April 10 — as it brings back its annual murder mystery dinner.

The annual murder mystery dinner has been the group’s largest annual fundraiser and has been used to offset programming costs for the Cullman County Public Library System as well as help cover the expenses for the local Dolly Parton Imagination Library which distributes free books each month to local children.

This year’s interactive who-done-it will play out much like a real life game of Clue, giving guests the opportunity to unravel a web of clues — and navigate the evening’s unexpected twists and turns — to determine which character was behind the nefarious events that transpired over the course of the evening.

Friends director Julie Freeman said guests are also encouraged to dress up to fully immerse themselves in the experience.

As wis tradition, a full course meal will be served alongside wine and sparkling cider, and the Holly Pond Jazz Band will provide background entertainment. Freeman said what makes this year’s event so monumental is that it will act as the kickoff for the library’s capital improvement campaign to renovate and expand the downtown Cullman branch location.

The Cullman County Library Board announced its plans to overhaul the Cullman branch last year and have begun applying for federal grant funding as well as secured the promise of local matches from both the city of Cullman and the Cullman County Commission. However, the majority of funding will be raised through grassroots, community fundraisers.

Current estimates for the project are roughly $6 million. Plans for the new facility included designated spaces for children, study rooms, community meeting spaces, a STEAM lab and a bookstore.

Freeman said she believed the renovation was long overdue and was excited to see steps being made to bring the space more in line with other recent efforts from the city of Cullman to improve its downtown spaces.

“It will really be a tremendous addition to the [downtown] warehouse district area,” Freeman said. “With the city having purchased the church behind the library to use for the community theater, there is such a great opportunity to create an arts district. It’s really an opportunity to create something special.”

The event will take place between 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. on April 10 at Camp Meadowbrook. Single “dutiful detective” tickets are available for purchase for $85 on the group’s campaign website, along with larger sponsorship packages.