TUPELO - After the frenzied work that goes into preparing for the 2008 Cellular South GumTree Festival, people need a party.

The artists and crafts people will start arriving at the Lee County Courthouse on Friday, but they won't open for business until Saturday morning.

Between getting ready and getting to work, there's a chance to get down on Friday night at the 11th annual Gumball at the GumTree Museum of Art.

"It kicks off the festival weekend by opening up the museum doors and inviting people in to celebrate the arts," said Tina Lutz, festival director.

The event opens at 7 p.m. with a silent auction. Festival artists donate their paintings, pottery, photographs and more, and the proceeds help support the museum.

"Last year, we had about 65 pieces. The year before, it was about 75," Lutz said. "I'm always amazed and deeply touched at the generosity of the artists who come to our festival and donate so freely of their work."

Heavy hor d'oeuvres will be provided by Park Heights, Harveys, Sweet Peppers and Fairpark Grill, and a cash bar will be available.

The auction will wind down at about the same time the New Madrid Click gets the music started.

"They have a world beat sound," Lutz said. "It's going to be great dance music."

She called the Gumball a "big ol' party," and it'll last until midnight "because that's when the city tells us we have to shut it down."

Besides, everybody's got to get up early for the festival.

By M. Scott Morris