Two local nonprofit organizations supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities are joining forces for a night of suspense, dining, and community unity.
The Arc of Greater Boone County and Independent Living and Development Disabilities (ILADD, Inc.) will host their first joint fundraiser, “Murder at the Midway,” on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Boone County Fairgrounds’ BCA Power Hall, 1300 E. 100 S. in Lebanon.
The event marks the first formal partnership between the two organizations, which serve many of the same self-advocates and families across Boone County and surrounding areas.
“This is our first time partnering with ILADD on this, and part of the reason for this partnership is because we overlap a lot,” said Pam Verbarg, executive director of The Arc of Greater Boone County. “Both of our organizations support many of the same individuals and families.”
Verbarg noted that participants frequently utilize services across both organizations depending on their needs.
“We have people who are very active in ILADD who participate in our day programs that we provide supported living and other services for,” Verbarg said. “And on the other side, ILADD is working with some of those same people with housing, their book clubs, game nights, trainings and all of the other pieces that they do together. So we put our heads together when they proposed the idea of doing a joint fundraiser and said, ‘Yeah, we think it makes sense because we do support many of the same people and want to show that unified front to the community as well.'”
ILADD has hosted murder mystery fundraisers in previous years, and the joint event allows the concept to grow to a larger audience.
The evening will feature a buffet-style barbecue dinner and an interactive murder mystery experience guided by a professional host. Rather than requiring attendees to act on stage, the host will walk tables through the storyline, dropping clues throughout dinner for guests to collaborate and solve the crime.
Proceeds from the evening will directly benefit programming and operational needs for both nonprofits. While funded through different mechanisms, both organizations rely on community support to maintain and expand services.
“This event would just help both organizations with expanding our programming,” Verbarg said. “For us at The Arc, a lot of our fundraising goes into the pieces that aren’t covered through our service funding. So it’s vehicle maintenance and maintenance of our buildings and those community outings that we do with people that we support.”
For ILADD, fundraising forms the foundation of its entire operation.
“For ILADD though, they are 100% based on grants and fundraising,” Verbarg explained. “So for them, all of their programming and staffing are funded through their fundraising efforts.”
Event Details & Logistics
Date & Time: Friday, Oct. 9, 2026 | 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Location: Boone County Fairgrounds – BCA Power Hall (1300 E. 100 S., Lebanon, IN 46052)
Attire: Casual (fair and big top theme).
Food & Beverage: Buffet-style barbecue dinner. A cash bar will be available, and table sponsors will receive a complimentary bottle of wine at their table.
Parking: Free parking is available at the Boone Power Hall. Free handicap-accessible parking is located right outside the building. Guests should note that Fright Forest will take place concurrently at the Boone County 4-H Fairgrounds, with ample parking available in adjacent lots.
Ticket & Sponsorship Information
Alibi Individual Ticket: $100 (Includes mystery experience, barbecue buffet, and deadly surprises)
Whodunit Witnesses Table Sponsor: $750 (Includes 1 table for 6 guests, logo on tabletop signage, and 1 bottle of wine)
Lead Investigator Sponsor: $3,000 (Includes 2 tables for 12 guests, logo on tabletop signage, 1 bottle of wine, and event recognition)
Master Detective Presenting Sponsor: $5,000 (Includes 2 tables for 12 guests, logo on all event signage, 2 bottles of wine, and event recognition)
Tickets can be purchased online at iladdinc.networkforgood.com. For more information about the host organizations, visit thearcgbc.org and iladdinc.org.
