There will be an auction including two MAGA hats autographed by President Donald Trump.

Cullman County Republicans will gather this evening for one of the biggest events on their local calendar when party members and guests meet for the party’s annual catered dinner and silent auction fundraiser in Cullman.

Beginning at 6 p.m., the ticketed annual GOP dinner will kick off at Loft 212 in downtown Cullman. Sales for the $50 per-plate fundraiser ended last Friday, but local GOP head Steve Cummings says those who show up tonight will have the chance not only to take home some pretty unique swag (including a “Make America Great Again” baseball cap autographed by President Donald Trump); but may even be treated to some surprises at the event itself.

“There are a lot of neat things we’ve got for the silent auction, and who knows? I may get up and do a little comedy routine I’ve been working on,” joked Cummings, who’s known locally for gamely serving up good-natured impersonations and skits at events like this evening’s. “I don’t want to reveal too much on that, though— we’ll just see how things go and I’ll play it by ear.”

While autographed MAGA hats and irreplaceable comedic moments may be fun, there’s definitely a serious side to tonight’s election-year event, with candidates for a number of local, state, and national offices — including GOP primary contenders for a U.S. Senate seat — expected show up and make their pitches to primary voters.

With a wide open March candidacy race to determine the GOP nominee who’ll take on Democratic incumbent U.S. Senator Doug Jones later this year, and with the opening of President Trump’s Senate impeachment proceedings this week, several Republican candidates for the U.S. Senate race have plans to attend — including Bradley Byrne, Roy Moore, and Stanley Adair. Others, including former Senator and U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, as well as former Auburn football coach Tommy Tuberville, won’t be able to make it to Cullman this time around, said Cummings.

U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt is scheduled to deliver the opening remarks this evening, with catering for the dinner itself supplied by Designs by Grace. The Cullman County Republican Party annual dinner and silent auction begins at 6 p.m. at Loft 212.

Benjamin Bullard can be reached by phone at 256-734-2131 ext. 145.