Frequently Asked Questions
I have never been to a Great Hearts Lakeside Auction. What can I expect?
Neon Nights is an adults-only event supporting Great Hearts Lakeside. The night begins with a cocktail reception while guests view and bid on silent auction items, play the Wine Pull, grab a photo at the photo station and visit with friends. Then it's time for dinner, the Live Auction portion of the event, and the grand finale - Poo Live Crew! All ticket levels include complimentary valet parking and catered dinner. Drinks will be available for purchase at several bars throughout the venue. The bars are cashless, so please bring a credit card.
Additionally, you can expect:
Silent Auction: Silent Auction bidding takes place online and is open to all supporters of GHL, even if an event ticket is not purchased. Silent Auction bidding opens March 26th, at which time a link to the bidding, as well as instructions for bidding, will be emailed to all GHL families. Silent Auction bidding closes promptly at 7:30pm on Saturday, March 29th.
Party Book: The Party Book includes tickets to grade-level class parties (think skate parties, swim parties, etc.) and parent parties (think wine tastings, back-yard concerts). Parties are generously organized and funded by GHL families, with the ticket sale proceeds going back to Great Hearts. The Party Book opens March 23rd for VIP ticket-holders and March 26th for all others and will be open through April 4th. The Party Book is open to all GHL families, even if an event ticket is not purchased. Many parties will sell out, so grab those tickets fast!
Live Auction: Get those paddles ready. Our professional auctioneer, Kyle Dykes with Top Auctioneers, will guide us through the Live Auction portion of the event. Get ready to bid on that special item you've been eyeing! Raise your paddles for the "Paddles Up" portion of the event to support special initiatives for GHL. We'll also play our Heads or Tails auction game - no experience required, just go have fun! We'll also announce our raffle winner.
When will tickets go on sale and how much do they cost?
Table and Event Sponsorships are live now - check them out here. General Admission tickets ($75), VIP Tickets ($175) and VIP Couples Tickets ($325 for the pair) will go on sale January 1st.
What are the dates I should keep in mind?
Here are some key dates. Don't worry, we'll send you reminder texts and emails!
August 1 - Sponsorship sales go live
January 1 - Individual Ticket Sales go live
January 31 - deadline for Sponsors to appear in printed invitation and on sign
February 27 - last day to book a room at the Hilton with the Neon Nights discount
March 1 - items begin to populate in the online Auction Preview
March 14 - last day to buy Tickets and Sponsorships
March 14 - last day to donate items for Silent Auction
March 17-21 - Spring Break
March 23 - Party Book goes live for VIP ticket holders
March 26 - Party Book and Silent Auction go live for everyone
March 29 - Neon Nights! Doors open at 5pm for VIP ticket holders and 6pm for everyone else
Why should I consider a sponsorship?
Table and Event Sponsorships include extra perks like priority seating, VIP tickets (for most levels) and various levels of both print and online recognition. They will also guarantee seating at a table for your group. Sponsorships are crucial in underwriting the cost of our event so that the funds raised through the Live and Silent Auction can go straight to GHL! For a comprehensive summary of sponsorship perks, head over to our Sponsorship page.
What's the difference between a General Admission and a VIP ticket?
Both the General Admission ($75) and VIP tickets ($175 each, or $325 for a pair) are individual tickets, so they do not come with any sponsorship perks like sponsor recognition or priority seating. The General Admission ticket includes access to the event including dinner, complimentary valet and entertainment. The VIP ticket has the benefits of the General Admission ticket plus 1) access to the VIP cocktail hour with complimentary beer and wine from 5-6pm, 2) access to the VIP lounge throughout the event, and 3) early access to the Party Book on March 23rd.
What kind of items will be auctioned?
A wide variety of items have been donated - there is something for everyone. For the Silent Auction, you'll be amazed what our GHL families put together for the Class Auction Baskets, and the Grade-Level Art projects are not to be missed! Many local businesses participate in the Silent Auction - expect to see spa services, restaurant gift cards and experiences for both adults and kids. For the Live Auction portion, expect to see items like private dinners, vacations and those one-of-a-kind experiences for kids like Headmaster for a Day! We will be begin previewing auction items on March 1!
How was last year's auction money used, and how will the money raised at Neon Nights be used by GHL?
We are thrilled to share how your generosity from last year’s gala has directly enriched our students’ experience. Thanks to your support, we were able to provide extra field trips and transportation for all six lower school grade levels, a new field storage shed, an athletics scoring table, weight room equipment for our student-athletes and new books for the Upper School library. These purchases have already made a meaningful impact on our scholars, supporting their academic and extracurricular pursuits in ways that go beyond the classroom. Looking ahead, we hope to continue enhancing our students’ educational journey with funding for things like a dedicated chemistry lab room for Upper School, supplemental science curriculum and materials for Lower School, a drama budget, including sound equipment, costumes, and set materials, a fund for high school trips and additional field trips for the Lower School and new furniture for our garden space. Your continued support helps us cultivate a rich, well-rounded environment where our students can thrive. We are deeply grateful for our Great Hearts Lakeside community and look forward to another successful gala this year! For questions about fundraising or use of funds, please contact Kerry Hunsaker, Director of Academy Giving.
How does seating work?
Seats will be assigned by the Auction Co-chairs prior to the event. To guarantee a table for your party, please consider sponsoring a table. To submit a seating request, please send us an email. We will do our best to accommodate.
Do I need to bring cash?
No. This is a cashless event.
What type of food will be served?
Dinner will include Caesar and garden salad, herb roasted chicken breast with sun dried tomato cream sauce, grilled salmon with lemon dill butter sauce, garlic mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetables, roll, cheesecake and flourless chocolate cake, coffee, hot tea, and ice water. All menu items (except for the roll) are gluten-free. Soft drinks, wine, beer and other alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase.
Can I stay the night at the Hilton?
Yes! A special Neon Nights rate is available through February 27th.
Do I have to spend a lot of money if I come to the event?
This is a fundraising event, but it's also an opportunity to spend time with fellow GHL families and build community. A General Admission ticket is $75, which helps us cover the cost of your dinner and parking. Beyond the ticket cost, there is no obligation to buy anything. We do work to make sure there is something for everyone - whether it's playing Heads or Tails or sponsoring a teacher ticket, your purchase makes an impact. Thank you for supporting this event and GHL!
Where do I pick up the items I won?
Please visit the check-out table as you leave to pick up your items. If you forget something, or if you purchased an item from the Silent Auction but did not attend the event in-person, please contact Kerry Hunsaker to arrange pick-up at the school.
What should I wear?
Guests are encouraged to GLOW in neon! Head over to our What to Wear page for some Glow Inspo. There is no costume required for this event, so come as you are - we just want you to have a great time!
How can I help?
We're glad you asked - please head over to our Volunteer page for volunteer opportunities.
I'm overwhelmed by everything I read above. What should I do?
Buy a ticket and come to the event! We'll help you with the rest by sending emails or texts with anything you need to know. Trust us, this will be fun! Feel free to send us a a note if we can help you with anything!
