School to Raise Money with Grownup Carnival

Did someone say carnival? And adults only? Vine Hill Elementary School promises a night of grownup games, prizes, fun, food and dancing at Saturday's tenth-annual dinner/auction fundraiser.

The "Carnival Carnival"-themed event, sponsored by the Vine Hill PTA, will take place at the Top of the Ritt, at the corner of Church Street and Pacific Avenue in downtown Santa Cruz.

A champagne reception with auction preview will start at 4:45 p.m. Saturday, followed by carnival games, entertainment (such as Wheel of Fortune and a tarot card reader) and silent auction at 5:30 p.m. The dinner and live auction begins at 7:15 p.m. Auction items include fine dining, wine, student art, jewelry, family activities and parties.  

Last year, the PTA cleared more than $115,000 at its dinner-auction, said Terri Hawes, volunteer marketing chairwoman and mother of fourth-grader Tyler. She said she expects to do as well or better this year.

“There’s a lot of creativity in fundraising going on, with a lot of family and merchant involvement,” Hawes said. “It’s a fun, festive community-minded event.”

What's raised will pay for classroom supplies and help support such programs as the computer lab, classroom assistance, yard supervisors, the Life Lab (garden-based education), science fair, and art, music and dance programs.  

In the past, the event has sold out, with room for just 300 at the Scotts Valley Hilton. This year, the organizers expect at least 350 people and still have a few seats left for shuttle-riders, which will take them from the school to the Ritt and back for $25 per person. 

Event tickets are $85, which include dinner and dancing to a deejay, and can be bought here online.