The event will feature live entertainment by Sit Down Francis and Players de Noc, interactive stations such as prop-making, games and prizes, and local food trucks.

All proceeds will benefit Players de Noc and the Bonifas Arts Center as they work to rebound from the destructive fire and subsequent water damage that occurred May 15 at the Bonifas building, 700 First Ave. S. in Escanaba.

While Escanaba Public Safety extinguished the fire soon after arriving at about 10:30 p.m., the water used left the building in a devastated state. Water seeped down into the theater pit, the green room and even the pottery shop. Thankfully, all the pottery shop equipment was high enough from the ground to not be damaged.

But water did reach the area where Players de Noc rents space, damaging their theater equipment, such as lighting and soundboards.

Lightning is thought to have sparked the fire May 15 at the Bonifas Arts Center, 700 First Ave. S. in Escanaba. The building now has significant water damage from efforts to extinguish the blaze. (Daily Press file photo)

A local fire inspector later determined the fire most likely was sparked by one or multiple lightning strikes.

Bonifas Executive Director Chelsea Hart said their current estimate on the extent of the damage, which has yet to be verified by insurance, tops $1 million for the building. Players de Noc has its own losses as well.

“We are just starting to hit the point where we can start the rebuild,” Hart said.

While Players de Noc and the Bonifas Arts Center are two separate entities, Hart said the two have a lot of overlap, as many on her staff are also members of Players de Noc.

Other organizations that use space in the Bonifas building, such as the Kiwanis Aktion Club for adults with disabilities, have had to either temporarily pause their gatherings at the center or move elsewhere. Those organizations did not have any equipment damaged.

The center also hosted several classes on site that had to be moved to other locations after the fire, like their Paint and Sip class. Upper Hand Brewery generously let the center host their class at their establishment on 3525 Airport Road in Escanaba, which has resulted in talks of further partnership moving forward.

A couple that was set to have their wedding on the stage in the center had to move the festivities to the outdoors, as well.

The aftermath was made much more manageable with help from the entire community. Bay College offered Players de Noc their Besse Theater to rent at a discounted rate so they could continue their productions there.

Luckily, Players de Noc was about to be in their off season for the summer when the fire happened. Their seasons last throughout the fall, winter and spring.

Tickets to the Raise the Roof event are $20, which includes one drink ticket, activity tickets and a door prize entry. They can be purchased online at tinyurl.com/BonifasRoof or on site Friday.

This event is free for first responders and children younger than 5.

Sophie Vogelmann can be reached at 906-786-2021 or svogelmann@dailypress.net.