ALBERT LEA — Northbridge Mall will be transformed into an elegant venue with highlights of blue, white and silver on the night of Riverland’s 75th anniversary gala, according to the event’s lead decorator.

Jane Haukoos, owner of Flowers by Jane and Memories Aloft in Alden, said she has a crew of people helping her decorate. She is planning for 500 to 600 people to attend the gala, which is from 7 p.m. to midnight on Sept. 26.

Entertainment includes Bob & The Beachcombers and the Austin Big Band.

One band will play on one end of the mall by Herberger’s, and a second band will perform in front of Dunham Sports. Tables will run from Herberger’s to the center of the mall, with a food court in the middle.

The tables will continue down the other end of the mall and end near the Book World location.

“It’s a formal affair,” Haukoos said. “That’s definitely what we’re advertising it as, and we hope everyone comes all dressed for it.”

Haukoos said she has been doing flowers for people for 35 years, but it was only until a few months after her position at the Alden-Conger School was eliminated, that she decided to open up her own business.

“It’s been a really good business,” she said.

Last year she did 19 weddings, and this year, she has already overseen 21. She will also be a resident artist at The Meraki Studios, opening next month on Newton Avenue in downtown Albert Lea.

Haukoos said the gala is of special significance to her because of her ties to Riverland Community College.

Haukoos said she originally graduated from Austin Technical College — the predecessor to Riverland’s Austin campus — as a licensed practical nurse. She worked as a nurse for 18 years, but after a fire destroyed the Farmland Foods location in Albert Lea where her husband, Steve, worked, they both decided to go back to school.

Steve went to the Austin campus, while she attended the Albert Lea campus for sales and marketing. He graduated in 1992, and she followed the year after.

Haukoos said it was while she attended the Albert Lea campus that she met Jean Eaton, one of her instructors, who is now one of the lead organizers for the Riverland gala.

“It’s pretty exciting,” Haukoos said. “I’m excited about it because I hope there will be a lot of instructors I haven’t seen for many years who will be there.”

She said she feels honored she was asked to be in charge of decorations for the event. It will be the largest venue she  has ever decorated.

“There’s lots of flower shops around and people who do flowers,” Haukoos said. “I’m just the little guy.”

Tickets for the gala are $75.