FAIRHOPE, Ala. - When the Baldwin Animal Rescue Center (BARC) hosts the 13th annual Christmas by the Bay, the event will be considerably different, but its purpose remains the same.

The soiree is the main fund-raiser for the animal rescue group, enabling it to continue its mission of placing animals into forever homes.

Executive director Kathy Eddy said the fun will take place from 6 until 11 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 16, at the Fairhope Civic Center. Admission is $50, and cocktail attire is requested.

But, instead of being a multi-day event with a holiday market as in years past, it has been scaled down.

“This year it's a silent and live auction, a taste of restaurants from across Baldwin County and dancing to the Grand Band,” Eddy said. “It was a more expanded event with vendors over several days, but we're not doing the vendors this year.”

Instead, the entire evening will resemble the preview party of days gone by with a number of items up for grabs, including jewelry such as diamond hoop earrings as well as a 14 karat white gold, 1.18 karat diamond bracelet that will be the prize in the champagne raffle. Partygoers will be able to enter the “bottomless” champagne raffle for an additional $25, and one lucky person will win the bracelet.

The silent auction will include a variety of items, including vacation packages, gift baskets, paintings, sculptures, fine dining opportunities and area rugs.

Perhaps the most notable item on the auction block will be a hog. No, it's not the variety that tastes good on the grill, but rather the kind you might ride on the open road.

Eddy said Eastern Shore Harley Davidson has donated a 2008 Sportster XL 883 Low. The live auction minimum bid for the bike is $7,000.

To cork the evening, area veterinarians will be on hand to serve liquid refreshments.

“We just wanted to do something different,” Eddy said. “We took the most successful components of the previous event and expanded on those.”

Last year, Christmas by the Bay raised more than $60,000 to help keep BARC in the black. Since the organization receives no local, state or federal money, she hopes supporters will turn out in force again.

“It benefits homeless, neglected and abused animals in Baldwin County,” Eddy said. BARC's pet rescue and adoption activities include working with animal control shelters in the county to find new homes for pets that face euthanasia.

The group also sponsors the largest low cost spay/neuter program here.

BARC will hold a pet adoption event the day after Christmas by the Bay. Animals available for adoption can be visited at the Fairhope Civic Center on Saturday, Nov. 17, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Those interested in adopting an animal may fill out an adoption application that day or request one from BARC prior to the event.

Eddy said the agency used to be known primarily by its organizational name, the Baldwin County Humane Society, adding, “We rolled out the new name two years ago, hoping it would better identify our mission.”

Christmas by the Bay tickets are available by calling BARC at 928-4585, or dropping by their office at 306 Magnolia Ave. in Fairhope. Tickets will also be available at the door, and can be placed on a credit card at that time.

Event sponsors include Friend for Life: Commercial Printing Co.; Best of Show: Baldwin Register, Blue Rents, Budweiser Busch Distributing, Buffalo Rock Pepsi, Eastern Shore Harley Davidson, Fairhope Courier, Foley Implement Co., Grand Hotel Marriott Resort, Wilsey's Nursery and Young's Suncoast Realty; Best of Class: Chuck Stevens Automotive, Craft Farms, Island TV, Lulu's Landing, Weir LLC and Wildflowers - Stephanie Easterling; Best of Group: Hoods Home Center, Joe Bullard Cadillac-Hummer, Dr. Katherine Carroll and Barry Gilliland, First Gulf Bank, Tim and Tracy McCrory and Thompson Properties; BARC Supporter: James and Lauren Dorgan, Doc's Seafood, Edgerly Construction Co., First National Bank of Baldwin County, Floyd C. Enfinger Jr. Attorney, Lisa Hannah, Head Companies Inc., Holk Electric, Magnolia Springs Pharmacy & Gifts, Catherine McInnis, Rep. Steve McMillan, Red & White, John and Barbara Reuss, Anne Smith, South Alabama Vending and Terry Thompson Chevrolet.