On Thursday, Aug. 17, the Sen. George J. Mitchell Scholarship Research Institute will host the first Mount Desert Celebration of the Mitchell Institute at the summer home of Pamela Gleichman and Karl Norberg.

Mitchell, founder of the Mitchell Institute, and recipients of the institute’s scholarships will be honored guests and will be joined by board members and invited guests from Maine and around the country. Mitchell will discuss the success of the institute.

The evening also will include live entertainment from SPUNN, the world-acclaimed fire dancing troupe.

A live auction will feature a 15-day China travel package, a week of lodging accommodations at a Tuscan villa, a week’s stay at the George Vanderbilt cottage in Bar Harbor and an island cruise and lobster bake, and a Salt Lake City travel package, among other unique offerings. One auction item will feature a backstage theater tour with actress Glenn Close.

Individuals who are not confirmed to attend the event can view the auction items and learn more about the organization at www.mitchellinstitute.org and bid before 5 p.m. today by e-mailing Cassandra Cote at the Mitchell Institute at ccote@mitchellinstitute.org or by calling Cote at 773-7700. All proceeds from the evening will support the work of the Mitchell Institute.