Jennifer Geens
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Sep 23/05) - By the time you read this, the ninth annual Stanton Foundation's multicultural dinner on Saturday should be sold out.

"People start calling us even before the tickets are out," said Linda Bussey, executive director of the foundation.

About 20 tickets were left on Monday.

The event at the Fire Hall is so popular, people unable to get tickets put their names on a waiting list and a lucky few get phone calls Saturday night if spaces open up.

The foundation's fundraising goal this year is $100,000, money Stanton Hospital needs to buy a bone densitometer. The machine measures bone mineral density, which aids in diagnosing osteoporosis and identifying those at risk of developing the disease.

The multicultural dinner usually raises around $30,000.

The dinner's theme is "Walk through the continents" and instead of a standard buffet set-up, there'll be seven stations - one for each continent, but not seven plates.

"People are going to have six plates and one goblet because it was very difficult to find something for Antarctica," said Bussey. "We did try to get some deep fried penguin but it didn't work, so we're going for slushies."

Beginning at 6 p.m. and running until about 10:30 p.m., diners can sample foods from around the world, prepared by fellow Yellowknifers. Among the choices will be Vietnamese, Croatian, and Barbados fare.

There will also be dancers, singers and a live and silent auction.

Bussey expects the Festival of Trees in November to raise the remaining money for the bone densitometer.

After experimenting with a sit down dinner and headliner comedian last year, this year the Festival of Trees will return to finger foods and casual seating, with plenty of space devoted to the trees up for auction.