By the time funk-rock band Toy Factory launched into the classic tune “Gimme Some Lovin’,” a larger-than-normal crowd of about 350 people on Saturday already had poured an estimated $109,000 worth of affection on the local kidscommons children’s museum.
That unfolded at the museum’s 17th Annual Carnivale Monte Carlo: Masquerade fundraiser at The Commons — a venue bedecked with a roulette wheel, blackjack tables, oversized dice and more. And several of those who bid on an array of over-the-top live auction items said that supporting the popular venue — one that attracted nearly 60,000 people last year — is never a gamble.
David Bush, president of the local Kenny Glass business, said as much when he purchased a Festival of Lights Parade prize package for $2,400 — and said he would share it with staff members of the company.
“I know my folks will enjoy it,” Bush said.
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It seemed all the folks in attendance enjoyed the weekend festivities. Plus, many kept the proceedings light and fun by donning an array of glittery and artsy masks to fit the masquerade theme.
But there was no covering up the fact that many worked diligently to make the night a success. The event helps the venue be even more accessible to families with low-cost programming, according to organizers.
Honorary co-chairs for the event were Todd and Julie Bergman, Alyson Dunfee and Ike Dougherty, Derek and Jenni Kiesler, and Blake and Betsie Reed. Lesli Gordon, the museum’s resource development director, mentioned that organizers were thrilled with the turnout.
She said that was especially the case since the gathering had to be moved from kidscommons, located across Washington Street from The Commons, because construction on the museum’s new third-floor camp exhibit is beginning.
Turns out that the move was perfect because Gordon acknowledged that kidscommons would not have provided enough room for the gaming tables and more. Plus, she acknowledged that the live auction unfolded much better at The Commons with more space for bidders and better acoustics to hear the bidding and details about the prizes.
“I think we’ll definitely at least consider coming back (to The Commons),” Gordon said. “We can have a lot more people, and all this (decor) wouldn’t have worked (at kidscommons). It’s so much easier.”
In the past, organizers said they have stuck to the museum for the fundraisers through the years partly as a way to show off exhibits to area parents and grandparents who have never previously seen the place.
During a break at one of the blackjack tables, dealer Ali Pla re-stacked a deck of playing cards. She chuckled when asked if there would be a lot of winners this night.
“Depends on whether or not the cards love you,” she said with a smile.
Clearly, the crowd loved kidscommons throughout.
Suzanne Meredith, a relative newcomer to Columbus in the past year but with two youngsters ages 6 and 8 already smitten with kidscommons, bid $4,500 — the evening’s highest price-tag — for an elaborate Disney World package. Afterward, she was overjoyed not only at what she got, but what she gave.
“We already were planning a Disney World trip,” Meredith said of an expected October vacation. “And this looked like a better way to spend the money for it. This way, we get to give back (to the community) and still go (on the trip). “
Fun and fundraising at the same time? Amid a makeshift casino, that seemed like no gamble whatsoever.
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- Saturday: Estimated $109,000
- 2019: $113,000
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