The Children's Museum of Southeastern Connecticut's eighth annual Be a Kid Again Gala will be held virtually from 7 to 8 p.m. Sept. 11.

Originally planned to take place at the Pavilion at Rocky Neck State Park, the event will be live-streamed from the museum and will be broadcast via Zoom and Facebook Live.

The gala serves as a celebration for the museum and its mission, and it is the top fundraiser for the museum, a nonprofit that depends on donations and grants to cover a large portion of its operating budget.

The event will include an online auction, entertainment, a look back at the museum's history and the unveiling of the museum's new name and logo.

"We had originally planned to unveil the logo when we announced our plans for renovating and reimagining the museum," executive director Holly Cheeseman said in a statement. "But, like many other things in 2020, those plans had to change."

Biding starts today for the gala's online auction. Items range from local gift certificates to one-of-a-kind pieces like a Norman Rockwell poster signed by civil rights activist Ruby Bridges.

As with past galas, the museum will ask people to make pledges throughout the evening, usually for specific projects such as CPR classes for staff or refurbishing exhibits. This year, all the money being raised will go towards keeping the museum going in uncertain times.

People can register for free for the gala at beakidagaingala.com.

On another note: To help support the Children's Museum during the pandemic, the Niantic Public House has created a fundraising beer for the museum. 

Named Niantic Shooting Star, the IPA beer will be sold during the month of September at Mermaid Liquors, Village Wine & Spirits and on tap at the Niantic Public House & Brewery; a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the museum.