Local youth organization hosting The Roast of Ken Bradbury

By Gary Scott on October 13, 2016 at 1:04pm

One of most recognizable names in West Central Illinois is the subject of a local comedy roast.

Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of West Central Illinois Cindy Denby, along with Social Media Director Ryan Flynn, joined WLDS’ “What’s On Your Mind?” program earlier this week to promote The Roast of Ken Bradbury.

Denby says once the idea came up, Bradbury was the obvious choice.

“First of all, the respect value of Ken Bradbury is like none other. Second of all, there’s so many people’s lives that he’s touched. We have one of our biggest after-school programs at Triopia…he is ‘Mr. Triopia,’ and then all of the people in, of course, Jacksonville. It’s grown bigger and bigger and bigger, we’re just really hoping that we have a great crowd that night,” says Denby.

Proceeds from the roast benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of West Central Illinois. Denby explains the type of programs the money will go towards.

“We have five schools on our waiting list that would like to be able to have us come in and do our mentoring program, so we need fundraisers like this. The communities have been wonderful to us and very receptive. Obviously we’re always looking for volunteers, we’re always looking for ways to make us bigger and better. We thought, ‘well gosh, what better way to kick it off than with Ken Bradbury,'” Denby says.

Roasters include Maryjane Million, Marcy Patterson, John Buchanon, Robert Crowe, Bruce Surratt, Rich McCoy, Roger Wainwright and Ken’s brother Keith Bradbury.

Tickets can be purchased in advance at $40 per person or $70 per couple by calling 217-243-3821 or visiting www.bigbrothersbigsisterswci.org.

The Roast of Ken Bradbury starts at 6:30 p.m. Friday in Hamilton’s Ballroom.