Although ticket prices to the annual Rotary Club of Murrieta Spring Fling fundraiser are lower this year, expectations for the fun that will be had are not.

This year's 13th annual Spring Fling will, like previous years, serve as the major source of fundraising for all of the club's programs both locally and internationally, club leaders said. Organizers are hoping to raise between $30,000 and $50,000 during the March 20 event, which will have a Mardi Gras theme.

For $60 a person, attendees will be treated to a Cajun-style dinner, a live auction and a silent auction, said current club President Mark Morgan. The auctions will feature various vacation packages, floor seats to a Los Angeles Lakers game, box seats to a Los Angeles Dodgers game and a myriad gift baskets and other promotional prizes.

After dinner, organizers will host a Texas hold 'em poker tournament with a $25 buy-in, Morgan said. The tournament, combined with cocktails and some entertainment should make for a great night, said Bob Bryant, the club member who will take the president's seat next.

"It's basically one of the biggest parties in the valley," he said.

Knowing many people don't have the money right now to party, this year's fundraiser is coming at a bargain rate.

While last year businesses and other organizations could sponsor a table for $1,000, this year that same table is going for $500, Bryant said.

The reduced price was a must, organizers said. Otherwise the club would run the risk of pricing out a large number of contributors from their biggest fundraiser of the year.

"It's really a big part that goes in determining how many of our projects we can do for the whole year," Bryant said. "And we're in an economy that's making it tough."

The Murrieta club is a part of Rotary International, a service group in which members get physically involved in helping those in need.

With the roughly $30,000 raised through last year's Spring Fling, the Murrieta club was able to sponsor a host of activities and programs in the community, including serving holiday dinners to the homeless, supporting local food banks that were in dire need of donations, sending groups of middle and high school students to leadership camps, offering other students scholarships and hosting free dental screenings at local schools.

Internationally, club members used some of the money to help rebuild an orphanage in Tijuana, Mexico, feed and clothe children at another orphanage in Baja, Mexico, bring clean water wells to Uganda, Africa, and help fight polio in the four remaining nations that have not eradicated the disease ---- Pakistan, Afghanistan, India and Nigeria, Morgan said.

"The whole motto for Rotary is 'Service Above Self'," Morgan said. "We're trying to actually put an end to a disease, which would be pretty amazing. Collectively with all of the Rotary International in the world, I think we're about halfway there."

Call staff writer Nelsy Rodriguez at 951-676-4315, ext. 2626.

13th annual Rotary Club of Murrieta Spring Fling fundraiser

-- What: Cajun dinner, silent and live auctions and Texas hold 'em poker tournament.

-- When: 5:30 p.m. Saturday

-- Where: Temeku Hills Golf & Country Club, 41687 Temeku Drive, Temecula

-- Cost: Tickets, which must be purchased in advance, are $60 a person. Buy-in to the tournament is $25

-- Tickets or info: Call Bob Bryant at 951-775-1799 or visit www.MurrietaRotary.org .