Local bluegrass, country and gospel singers will perform at a Christmas benefit concert Sunday at the DeKalb Holiday Inn, 1212 W. Lincoln Hwy.

Gary Mullis, the organizer of the event, said, “We try to have a variety (of music) to attract more people.” Mullis originated the event and has handled it for the past 18 years.

Laverne Day of DeKalb will be the master of ceremonies at the concert. Day has been involved with Mullis in the event for the last 10 years.

Five soloists will perform, followed by a group from Waterman High School and the Calvary Gospel singers of Kingston.

Admission to the 2 p.m. concert is one new, unwrapped toy. The toys will be distributed to the needy children of this area by the Salvation Army.

Day said they are asking for toys instead of money. “We would rather do it that way,” he said. “It seems more honest, and people seem to respond more readily when they know what they are contributing.”

Day said the toys will be picked up immediately after the concert which is scheduled to end at 4 p.m.