'Bachelor' Wraps Up Tonight; Higgins to Make Local Appearances
Posted
David Slone-dslone@timesuniononline.com
Tonight is the final episode of season 20 of ABC’s romance reality show “The Bachelor,” starring Warsaw native Ben Higgins. It’s a three-hour event that includes the “exciting” season finale and Higgins, Jo Jo and Lauren B. “looking back at the dramatic ending to their journey to find love” live on “The Bachelor: After the Final Rose,” according to an ABC press release. Local fans won’t have to watch it alone as there is a large-screen viewing party tonight at Lakeview Middle School to benefit The Humanity & Hope United Foundation. Tickets will be available at the door for $5 and raffle tickets are $5 each at the party. Doors open at 7 p.m. Humanity & Hope United Foundation is an international non-profit organization that seeks to inspire more hope, generate more opportunities, and create better living conditions, in order to empower the Honduran communities it serves, according to its website at humanityandhopeunited.org On tonight’s finale, the release from ABC also states, “The compelling live three-hour television event will begin with America watching along with the studio audience as Ben Higgin’s journey to find love comes to its astonishing conclusion. The Bachelor prepares to make one of the most difficult choices of this life, having narrowed down the field to two women – Jo Jo and Lauren B.– both of whom he told that he loved them. Who does Ben, after much soul-searching, see as his future wife?” In the season finale, Higgins, a 2008 Warsaw Community High School graduate, brings both women to meet his family in hopes that their insight will help him decide which bachelorette would be the best fit for him and his family. “Lauren B. makes a lasting first impression with Ben’s parents, but she must win over his dad in particular. Jo Jo, although a little nervous, also leaves his folks equally impressed. Her vulnerability especially appeals to Ben’s mother. Although his parents have strong feelings for both women, Ben is still undecided. His only hope is that his last dates with each bachelorette will help him make the biggest decision of his life,” the release states. Higgin’s date with Lauren B. doesn’t go according to plan. His unexpected behavior sends this woman into panic mode. Then, during his final date with Jo Jo, she confesses that she cannot picture life without him. Although Jo Jo is confident of her feelings for Higgins, he drops a bombshell. Instead of the dates bringing clarity to his situation, they leave him with more doubt. Confused and uncertain on that final day, Higgins makes a last–minute phone call that could change everything, the release states. Immediately after the season finale, “emotions run high” as Higgins sits down with host Chris Harrison live to discuss his final two women – JoJo, the real estate developer, and Lauren, the flight attendant. According to the release, the episode “takes us back to Jamaica, where he spent the emotional last days of his journey, telling both women that he loved them – a ‘Bachelor’ first. Both ladies are back to sit with Ben to talk about the sensational outcome. It’s the live, unpredictable ending to his adventure to find everlasting true love. Does Chris Harrison have a trick up his sleeve? In addition, the new Bachelorette will be revealed, live, on ‘The Bachelor: After the Final Rose.’” If anyone can’t get enough of Higgins tonight, he will be in the area for a couple of local fundraisers. Higgins has a date lined up at Baker Youth Club in March. “BYC Madness,” an annual fundraising event usually held with a basketball theme, will give way to “BYC Reality” March 25 when Higgins is the featured speaker. Tickets are $75. Higgins will speak about his experience on the show, his journey of love and his passion for BYC. Higgins both volunteered with and worked for BYC several years ago. The event will feature social time, food and drinks and a silent and live auction. Prizes include a dinner date with Higgins, a trip to Hawaii and a trip to Marco Island. The event will be held at BYC’s new location, the former YMCA at 1401 E. Smith St. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are available by visiting www.bakeryouthclub.com or calling 574-267-8771. Tickets will be available at the door only if they haven’t sold out in advance. A day later, on March 26, Higgins will be at the 8th Annual World Compassion Network’s Run for Hunger 5K to help out. All of the proceeds of the event go to Charities in Our Community. Entry fees were $16 before March 11, but are $21 after March 11. Race sign-up can be found at https://runsignup.com/Race/IN/WinonaLake/WorldCompassionNetworkInc
