JOSEPH — It was 1923 and the Wallowa Lake Lodge had just been built. It was also the height of Prohibition, and the sale of alcoholic beverages was illegal in this country.

However, if you could find a “speakeasy,” you could find an alcoholic beverage for sale.

In the 1920s, there were thousands of speakeasy establishments around the country where people could enjoy a cocktail, dance, socialize and listen to music, without fear of reprisal. Some even had secret knocks or passwords. You just had to know where to find them.

Now, in celebration of the Wallowa Lake Lodge’s centennial, a “Speakeasy Dinner” is set for Saturday, Feb. 11, 5-9 p.m. at the lodge.

Tickets are $50 each and are available on a presale basis by calling 541-432-9821. Only 80 will be sold. The dinner offers a choice of salmon or Cornish game hen, a free drink and dessert. There will also be a cash bar. Dressing in 1920s-era clothing is encouraged (think “The Great Gatsby”).

“Personally, I thought it would be fun,” said Kathy Siebe, one of the coordinators.

She said organizing the celebration has been a group effort.

“Winds of Time,” a movie about the Alaska Gold Rush that was filmed at the lodge, will be shown in the lobby during the event.

Siebe said it is a story “with lots of action … the music swells. You can tell where it’s filmed (at the lodge) shortly after the lodge opened.”

Robyn Burns and Amy Fairchild will provide live music on piano and violin at the dinner, and there will be a sing-along of 1920s music.

Siebe said the choruses will be provided to guests so they can sing along to the tunes.

The Speakeasy Dinner is not the only event planned to acknowledge the lodge’s 100 years. Siebe said the first weekend in July is designated the Centennial Weekend.

“The lodge is a wonderful facility. We really want to involve the community with the lodge, to draw the community back to the lodge,” Siebe said. “All the events point to a vibrant lodge presence.”

Madeline Lau, the lodge’s general manager, said she is “so excited to welcome the community to our speakeasy dinner that kicks off our centennial year.”

In addition to the community celebration on June 30 to July 2, a lodge all-staff reunion is planned later in the summer to celebrate current and former employees.

“Stay tuned for more details,” Lau said.

More than half of the available tickets have been sold and Lau is encouraging people to get their tickets soon. She said the best way to get updated details on the lodge’s centennial program is to check its Facebook and Instagram pages.

According to a press release about the Speakeasy Event, the lodge was purchased in 2016 by more than 200 individuals in a public offering. The Nez Perce Tribe purchased a conservation easement that protects the shoreline, Indian Creek and the Wallowa River.