From Oompa-loopas greeting guests at the door to a pure chocolate fountain and beyond, the Celebration of Pure Imagination fundraiser for the Childrens Museum of St. Tammany will help unlock the minds of children in the parish as it helped spur the parents and corporations to contribute to the complex.

St. Tammany Parish President Kevin Davis said, '��It'��s wonderful being here tonight. It is so fabulous for the community to come together for such a wonderful project for the children of St. Tammany Parish.'��

He also said the parish designated the land for the complex, and while there is no money budgeted for the project by the parish, they will be applying for grants and federal funding to assist.

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Chairman of the event Tony LeMon was Willie Wonka dressed in all his finery. Oompa loompas Zach, Chris and Will Barnett greeted guests at the door, directing them to the proper check-in areas.

The Fontainebleau High School Jazz Ensemble, fresh from their competition at the Savannah Music Festival where they placed fourth in the country, provided jazz and background music to get the party started. Four Unplugged later took the stage as musical entertainment.

Emcees of the event were Bernie Cyrus and Rich Mauti.

The Junior League of Greater Covington Steering Committee for the Children'��s Museum of St Tammany includes Lisa Barnett as chair; Ann Habisreitinger Barre'�� and Skarlett Roa Hogan, marketing; Rebecca Dougherty, Mimi Curran and Shannon Aparicio, management; Leslie Martin and Nancy Thompson, product; Jeanne Betbeze and Jennifer Thibodeaux, finance; Lisa Barnett, Heidi McElroy and Becky Parks, company and facility; Lisa Barnett and Sheri Lemmond, fundraising; Catherine Lagarde and Yvette Sutton, business plan, Sheila Dugger and Stephanie Daniels, Museum Without Walls; Sandra Chapman, public relations; Leigh Anne Wall, legal; and Karen Capps, Joanne Champagne, Ginny Crow, Pam Egan, Phoebe Whealdon, Melissa Whittington, and Ingrid Yancey, committee members.

The car raffle featured the chance to win a car of your choice from a 2008 Mazda CX7, 2008 Mazda Miata Covertible, 2008 Mazda 6 or a 2008 Mazda Tribute sponsored by the Paretti Family of Dealerships and Enterprise Rent-A-Car at a cost of $25 per ticket. It was won by Ron Franco.

The Diamond Dig featured the opportunity to scoop through sand and win two .5 carat diamonds and 50 gemstones that were mixed with faux stones. Jeweler Craig Babylon of The Chimes Antiques and Jewelry, donor of the stones, was on hand to authenticate stones won.

In addition, Sal and Judy'��s gift boxes and 5 Minute Oil Change gift cards were given as door prizes.