United Way of Knox County will host its annual Hit Play Karaoke fundraiser this Saturday at the Green Activities Center, bringing together local teams to raise money for programs that support residents across Knox County.

The event features nine performers, along with a mystery guest known as the “Masked Monkey.” United Way of Knox County Executive Director Scott Charleston said the surprise element has been carefully guarded. He said only he knows the identity of the masked singer, adding that even members of the organization’s board have been kept in the dark to preserve the reveal during the show.

Charleston said the fundraiser combines entertainment with community impact. He explained that while the event is designed to be fun, its purpose is to support services that help families meet basic needs, including assistance with food, heating, and utility bills.

Tickets for the event are $50 and include dinner and the live show. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., dinner begins at 6 p.m., and organizers plan to start the karaoke competition around 7 p.m.

Audience members can support teams by voting via text message, with each vote costing $1. All proceeds benefit United Way programs and partner agencies serving Knox County.

The public can also take part in the masked singer promotion ahead of the event. Charleston said people can text the word “MASKED” to 41444 to submit a guess at the singer’s identity. Guessing correctly comes with possible prizes.

One of the competing teams includes several former Miss Indiana titleholders. The group, known as Crown and Company, features Miss Indiana 2025 Kinley Shoemaker, Miss Indiana’s Teen 2025 Addison Chattin, Miss Indiana 2024 Kalyn Melham, and Miss Indiana 2023 Cydney Bridges.

Tickets are available individually or by table and can be purchased online or by texting “TICKET” to 40403.