Willows Academy Holiday Prelude Benefit Dinner
Guests gather for an evening featuring cocktails, dinner, and dancing to support Willows Academy. The event includes silent and live auctions, a paddle raise, and raffle drawings. Entertainment takes center stage with Willows Idol, a special showcase featuring the graduating senior class.
What to Expect
Annual benefit dinner featuring senior entertainment, auctions, and dancing.
Event Details
Ages
Adults
Timed Entry
No
Organizer
Willows Academy
Food & Drink
The event includes cocktails and dinner.
Local Insight & Ratings
Family Friendly
Best For
Willows academy supporters and community members
Vibe
Celebratory and elegant
Energy Level
Low
Budget
$$$
Photo Friendly
Moderate
Weather Sensitivity
Low
Location
Know Before You Go
- Tickets: $195 per guest. – Get tickets
- Hours: 6 PM – Cocktails and Silent Auction; 7:30 PM – Dinner, Paddle Raise, Live Auction; 9:30 PM – Dancing.
Tips & Advice
- Plan your outfit around the black tie optional dress code, since the evening runs from cocktails through dinner and on to dancing at the Lincolnshire Marriott Resort.
- Buy your party's tickets in one transaction and add or update guest names later, so you can hold seats for family and friends at your table.
- Watch for the online silent auction link to go live, because bidding happens online and you don't need to be in the room to win.
- Send program book ad artwork to prelude@willowsacademy.org by October 16, 2026 if you want your family or business featured in the book.
- Think about sponsoring a ticket for a Willows faculty or staff member, which helps make the evening accessible to the school's teachers and staff.
Special Events & Promotions
- New this year: Willows Idol takes center stage, featuring the Senior Class
- Golden Ticket entries, sold separately, for a chance to win a five-night stay at a private villa in Cabo
- Raffle tickets sold separately, and you choose which raffle items to put them toward
- Event sponsorships include 10 tickets with premier seating and a full-page ad in the program book
- Program book ads for families and businesses, with ad materials due October 16, 2026
Quick Actions
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I wear?
The dress code is black tie optional.
What happens during the evening?
The night opens with cocktails and the silent auction, then moves to dinner, the paddle raise and the live auction, and ends with dancing. Willows Idol, featuring the Senior Class, takes center stage this year.
Do I need to be there to bid on the silent auction?
No. The silent auction is held online, and bidders don't need to be present.
Can I buy tickets for a whole group?
Yes. You can buy multiple tickets in one transaction, then add or update your table's guest names later. You can also sponsor a ticket for a Willows Academy faculty or staff member.
Can I support Willows if I can't attend?
Yes. If you can't come to the paddle raise, you can make a gift online, and no ticket or sponsorship is needed to give.
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