NORWICH – Plans are underway for the Norwich Business Improvement District and the Friends of the Park’s second annual gala event in Norwich’s downtown parks.

The ‘Great Gatsby’-style event will take place from 6 to 10 p.m. on Friday, May 30 in East Park. Similar to last year’s event, the fundraiser will serve a dual purpose. It will benefit the restoration of East and West Parks, a plan that would bring the look of the parks closer to what it looked like during the Gatsby period. The event will also serve as the annual BID dinner.

BID Executive Director Pegi LoPresti explained that last year’s event was a success for everyone involved. “It cleared up a lot of misinformation about the parks project, and it brought a lot of people together for a good time. This year, we’re hoping it’s even bigger and better,” LoPresti said. In order to make that possible, a bigger tent will be utilized this year in order to hold more tables. A separate tent will be set up for the bar area, and cocktail tables will be set up in that area.

Last year, approximately 125 people attended the event, and this year LoPresti is hoping to get at least 175.