A toy will buy a ticket for a music show at the Illinois Army National Guard building in Sycamore.

“I encourage people to come out with toys and support a good cause,” said Gary Mullis, University Plaza cafeteria worker and organizer and founder of the show, which will donate all of its toys to the Salvation Army “for needy children in DeKalb County at Christmas.”

The show is Sunday from 2 until 4:30 p.m. at 516 E. Hwy. 64, across from the Union 76 gas station.

Mullis began the show 21 years ago because he “thought it was a good idea and a good cause” and has “kept it going all these years,” he said. He has been organizing and running the show since its beginning.

Mullis said the show will include country, bluegrass, gospel and Christmas music. The emcee for the show will be LaVerne Day from DeKalb, and some performers participating are Cindy Duncan from Rochelle, Debbie Davis from Amboy and Rich Kutshew and Family from Genoa.

“All band groups are encouraged to sing at the show,” Mullis said. Interested performers are encouraged to contact Mullis at 756-5524 between 8:30 and 9:30 a.m., he added.

The show usually has 100 to 200 people but “the last few years, this has fallen to 50 people. I want to get it (attendance) up there again,” Mullis said.

Mullis was born and raised in the DeKalb area and has been a food consultant for 25 years at the University Plaza for a firm from St. Louis, Mo.