It’s not a mystery how the Mystery Murder Dinner was a success

By Thomas Nelson, tnelson@charlescitypress.com

The Murder Mystery Dinner on Saturday night packed the Floyd County Fairgrounds Youth Enrichment Center.

“We sold 239 tickets, and we’ve got all but two of those here,” said Charles City Community Development Event Coordinator Emily Garden. “We have a great turnout.”

Attendees were encouraged to dress in their best ’80s attire with big hair.

“We just loved the ’80s,” Garden said. “I wish I could’ve been born in the ’80s, so I was kind of drawn to that, and Jacie Garden, Chamber president, also really like it.”

Once the attendees got to their tables there were greeted by the rules of the mystery.

“You are here to solve a mystery. It can only be solved by getting out of your seat and gathering the clues. The guilty party is one of the name-tagged suspects. If you are correct you will win your heart’s greatest desire as a prize*. Pay attention and await further instructions. *We assume your heart’s greatest desire is an award and some applause.”

A troupe of four actors from The Murder Mystery Co. in Minneapolis was on hand to produce the murder mystery fun in a Clue-style manner that promised lots of audience participation, laughs and surprises.

Brandon Rumfelt played Johnny Diamond, Jack C. Kloppenborg played Poison Rattenstien, Cayla Marie Wolpers played Pat Minotaur and Autumn Ament played Joan Jumbojet.

The actors carried props and picked audience members to play larger roles in the night’s festivities.

A prime rib dinner catered by Dave’s Restaurant and silent and live auctions went along with the “Totally 80s, Totally Murder” Mystery Dinner.

“Dave’s restaurant really discounted their prime rib dinner for us to keep it a fundraiser for us, which is fantastic,” Garden said. “We had a record 91 auction items donated by Chamber members, which is amazing.”

Proceeds from the dinner fundraiser go toward Charles City Chamber of Commerce activities and services.

A fuzzy navel and electric slide were specialty cocktails offered, with nachos and meatballs as the appetizers.

“They’re very ’80s,” Garden said.

Prior to the event the auctioneer’s truck started on fire and required assistance from the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office and Charles City Fire Department.

“Luckily the caterer helped him put it out,” Garden said. “It just adds to the excitement.”