Dinner in the Dark will take place at 6 p.m. Oct. 14 at the Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa, and it's the major annual fundraiser for Sofia Sees Hope. Sofia Sees Hope is a nonprofit organization dedicated to funding research and providing education and support to families affected by blindness caused by Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) and other rare inherited retinal diseases.

This dinner is a culinary adventure — guests will dine with a blindfold on, and the menu is kept secret. The Mystic Marriott's chef aims to create a menu that appeals to all of the senses. New this year, wine pairings are provided by Angelini Wine along with their producers, Il Borro Cellars from the Ferragamo estate in Tuscany, and Carpenè Malvolti in Veneto. Another new addition are the "Majestic Pearls" donated by jeweler Simply Majestic in Mystic.

The evening also includes a live auction, music by The Cartells and dancing.

The keynote speaker is David Brint, chairman of the board of directors for the Foundation Fighting Blindness. Brint has helped lead FFB's research efforts for more than 15 years and is currently vice chairman of research. Brint has a personal connection to inherited retinal degenerative diseases as his son, Alan, is affected by LCA.

Tickets are $150 per person or $2,020 for a 20/20 Vision Table Patron. In 2016, this event sold out early. Tickets are on sale now and are available at www.sofiaseeshope.org.