Creative pumpkin carving and a good meal are coming together in Campbell River tonight in support of the worldwide effort to eradicate polio.

The Rotary Club of Campbell River is holding its 17th annual Pumpkins for Polio Beer and Burger fundraiser at the Riptide Marine Pub, beginning at 5:30 p.m.

The $45 ticket includes a burger, beer or wine and a choice of fries or salad.

The evening’s centrepiece will be a live auction featuring pumpkins expertly carved by members of the Campbell River Arts Council and local First Nations carvers.

The fundraiser follows World Polio Day, recognized annually on October 24 to highlight progress toward eliminating the potentially deadly and paralyzing disease.

Rotary became a founding partner of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative in 1988. Since then, worldwide polio cases have fallen by 99.9 per cent, although the disease remains endemic in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Continued vaccination, monitoring and fundraising remain necessary to protect that progress and complete the eradication effort.

Tickets for tonight’s event are available through the Riptide Marine Pub, with proceeds supporting Rotary’s continuing fight against polio.

Get details at Pumpkins for Polio.