LINCOLN PARK — An evening of food, dancing and camaraderie will kick off the city’s celebration of Cruisin’ Downriver this year.

The second annual Cruisin’ 4 a Cause Black Tie Affair will take place July 27 at the Knights of Columbus, 25160 W. Outer Drive.

Tickets are $35, with proceeds being split between Children’s Hospital of Michigan and the city of Lincoln Park.

The fund-raiser helps reimburse the city for its costs for the cruise, including overtime for public safety employees.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Several area restaurants will set up tables and serve an array of foods, including hors d’oeuvres and desserts, from 7 to 9 p.m. A cash bar also will be available.

Little Davy and the Diplomats will entertain the crowd, as will the 1950s nostalgia group The Stiletto’s, from 8 p.m. to midnight.

Door prizes will be given away during the evening. A silent auction and raffles also will go on.

Top prizes include roundtrip tickets on Spirit Airlines to any destination it flies, the use of a condominium in Las Vegas and autographed memorabilia from the Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Pistons.

The inaugural event last year raised about $1,500 for the city and for Paws With A Cause, a national group that trains assistance dogs for people with disabilities.

Tickets were $100 each last year and event organizers said they hope this year’s reduced price attracts a larger crowd.

Even though it’s called a black tie affair, organizers said, the black tie is optional.

For tickets or more information, call 1-734-341-1078.