Going, going, gone. The 30th and final Lourdes High School fundraising auction was held in 2009. And although the auction raised more than $1 million for the school, the organizing committee decided that its bidding time was up.
In its place is a new, more formal event called Hearts of Gold, A Purple Tie Affair. The new fundraiser will be held April 30 at the Kahler Grand Hotel rather than the school's gymnasium. It will still, however, feature an auction.
As opposed to the former auction, which was known for bringing in as many as 1,400 items, this one will have about 75 items with a more upscale feel, said Barb DeCramer, development associate for Rochester Catholic Schools.
Among the auction items are a trout fishing experience with the chef from the Rochester Golf and Country Club who will cook the day's catch, a 2003 Jeep Liberty, Mikimoto earrings appraised at $5,000, a Minnesota Twins game package with seats in the Legends Club at Target Field, an overnight stay and dinner, a Mississippi River cruise for four with dinner at Harbor View restaurant, as well as trips to Florida and Mexico.
The items can be purchased through silent, live and "almost live" auctions. For the "almost live" auction, which will be held during the silent auction, the six hottest items will be posted on a white board where the auctioneer will talk about them as people jot down their bids, DeCramer said.
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There will also be live music, dancing and a sit-down dinner.
The theme, "Black Tie Optional, Purple Tie Encouraged," is meant to inspire participants to have fun adding the school's colors of purple and gold to their formal wear, she said.
Most of the attendees have some connection to the school, including families of current or former students or alumni. Sheriff Dave Mueller, Lourdes High School class of 1977, will be the celebrity guest host.
"It's like a great big reunion of all kinds of folks," DeCramer said.
