An elegant evening benefiting Center in the Square and the Margaret R. Baker Charitable Foundation
ROANOKE, Va. — Roanoke’s cultural community will take center stage on Saturday, March 14, as Corks & Crowns makes its debut at the historic Hotel Roanoke, promising an unforgettable evening of elegance, entertainment, and impact.
Corks & Crowns is a black-tie-optional gala benefiting Center in the Square and the Margaret R. Baker Charitable Foundation, uniting two of Roanoke’s most influential cultural institutions for a single, extraordinary night. The event will celebrate the arts, education, and leadership while supporting downtown vitality and scholarship opportunities for young women across Virginia.
Special guests include Miss Virginia 2025 Madison Whitbeck, Kylene Barker McNeil – Virginia’s first Miss America, and many other former Miss Virginias.
Set against the iconic backdrop of Hotel Roanoke, the evening will feature exceptional wines, gourmet dining, and a red-carpet experience, along with both silent and live auctions offering once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Guests will also enjoy live entertainment featuring past and present Miss Virginia titleholders, adding glamour and tradition to the celebration.
“For more than four decades, Center in the Square has served as a cornerstone of Roanoke’s arts, culture, tourism, and economic impact,” said Tara Marciniak, President of Center in the Square. “Corks & Crowns is designed to celebrate that legacy while investing in its future and expanding scholarship opportunities through the Margaret R. Baker Charitable Foundation.”
Evening Highlights Include:
- Exceptional wines
- Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres
- Gourmet dinner
- Silent and live auctions
- Live entertainment by current and former Miss Virginia title holders
- Red-carpet experience
Event Schedule
- 5:30 p.m. – Cocktails, Wine, Hors d’oeuvres
- 7:00 p.m. – Dinner, Program & Live and Silent Auctions
Jim Wolz with Wolz and Associates will serve as the evening’s live auctioneer.
Proceeds from Corks & Crowns will directly support Center in the Square’s mission to advance arts, culture, education, and tourism in downtown Roanoke, while also funding scholarships that empower young women through the Margaret R. Baker Charitable Foundation.
Celebrate. Indulge. Invest in the heart of our community.
For sponsorship opportunities, table purchases, or tickets contact:
John Carlin
Center in the Square
📧 [email protected]