OXFORD – While there will be plenty of decadent baked goods on sale during the Oxford Community Youth Center’s fundraiser on Friday, make no mistake – this event is definitely not your average bake sale.

The non-profit organization, which has been providing structured, supervised activities for Oxford’s youth for the last quarter century, is hosting “A Family Celebration” from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday at the Oxford Academy Performing Arts Auditorium in the High School.

Proceeds from the event, which will feature a Cupcake Euphoria pre-show followed by a musical storytelling performance by Bells & Motley Olden Music and Storytelling, will support the Youth Center’s After School Program.

According to Linda LaRosa-Mosner, who serves on the organization’s board of directors, the after school program provides a supervised setting for 40 Middle School students in grades 5 to 8, at no charge to parents. Not only will the money raised during the Family Celebration be used to continue operation of program, now in it’s twelfth year, but may help the organization broaden the program’s reach.

“Currently the After School Program operates Monday through Thursday on the days when school is in session,” she explained. “A goal is to expand.”

Rather than simply hold a fundraiser, she and the other board members decided to plan a community-focused event to support the cause.

“(We) wanted to do something to bring families in the community together to kick off the holiday season,” said Mosner. “Then a very holiday-like thing happened! The community came together to make the event happen.”

Because, as Mosner explained, “a great performance demands decadent desserts,” the fundraiser will commence at 6 p.m. with Cupcake Euphoria, featuring fanciful baked goods provided by a number of area restaurants, bakeries and specialty shops.