An elegant evening under the stars in support of innovative Delta School District programs is shaping up to be quite the night.
The second annual Dirt & Candlelight Gala is set for Saturday, Sept. 29. The gala will feature a catered dinner under white tents, performances from the Vancouver Opera, auctions and a dance all in support of the Farm Roots Mini School and Delta’s fine arts academies.
It starts at 5:30 p.m. and will be held at the Farms Roots Mini School in Boundary Bay.
Paige Hansen, district principal in charge of academies and choice programs, and Brooke Moore, district principal of inquiry and innovation, are co-organizing the evening.
Hansen said ticket sales are going well and she expects a great night.
“What is really neat is seeing the whole community (get) behind these unique programs,” she said. “For example, the number of quality auction items that have been donated shows that the community is fully behind our programs and what these programs do for our students and student learning.”
Hansen said for the second year, they are partnering with the Vancouver Opera, which will be on hand for a number of performances as will a local band called the Retro Grades.
Vancouver’s award-winning Forage Catering will be handling the meal that will feature as many locally sourced products as possible.
“That’s what I love so much about this event – it’s an elegant gala in a farm setting,” said Hansen.
Silent and live auction items will include Bard on the Beach tickets, two tickets to the Craft Beer and Wilderness Retreat at Nootka Sound and a chance to experience cranberry picking right here in Delta.
“You will actually get a chance to get in hip waders and go out into the field when it is flooded,” Hansen said. “It’s so cool. We have lots of items that tie back to the land and to our community.”
Last year the gala raised $10,000. Hansen is hoping to double that number this year.
“The support we have received is just amazing,” she added. “I think what it means is that we are heading in the right direction with these programs and that people really understand that these programs connect kids to the bigger community and that they are relevant.”
For tickets or more information, call 604-952-5374 or go to: www.deltalearns.ca/dirtandcandlelight.
