The January Fundraiser ~ Silver & Sapphire Vegas Night!

January and the New Year bring in that sense of excitement that a trip to Vegas might bring! So, let's use that idea to create a fabulous fundraiser!! Fabulous fun and delicious Hors D'oeuvres...what a winning combo! Plan on having a Meet & Greet Hour before we open the Games!

The Vegas themed fundraiser is always a great hit, particularly because our men-folk really do have fun at these! That's always a huge plus!! This takes some time, planning and advance investment, but it stands to reap a nice return. I like the variety of Blackjack Table, Roulette Table, Poker Table Corner, BINGO Area, maybe even a row of Slot Machines. Gaming tables are available at some of our larger party rental supply stores. You'll need to do your footwork in securing prize donations, but it's certain to pay off! Plan on doing a Cash Bar, and consider allowing real time purchase of extra gaming tokens or tickets! Your ticket price will include food, entertainment and whatever level of game opportunities you elect for the price. If guests run out before time is over, it's nice to be able to buy extra gaming chances! So, let's talk a bit about those games!

One 'must have' is the Poker Table(s)...offer advance buy in for a tournament style round of Texas Hold 'Em, with the prizes being awesome donated items from our local benefactors. This idea is particularly guy-friendly. You can time your half hour or hour long rounds to fit your party schedule, awarding a winner at the end of each round. You'll have limited open slots for players, depending on how many tables you set up...so you have that 'urgency' factor when it comes to getting early reservations for the night!

If doing the Slot Machines, I think I'd suggest renting a row of three...or at least two together. It's just more fun when you're next to a friend! The whole 'shoulder to cry on' thing...hahaha! Slots are great! No concentration or thinking involved!

Some of your Games will require a Dealer... Blackjack, Roulette and BINGO. Have a few of your gentlemen don vest and tie to fill in these important roles! They'll be honored! It'll be a lot of fun, great opportunities for photos!

Some delightful live entertainment will set the mood in a most Vegas-like fashion! Book this well in advance, and coordinate the rental date at the same time...no surprises at the last minute!

Perhaps, save some space near the stage for dancing, if space allows. Doesn't have to be huge...maybe a

10 x 10 area, just enough for a couple of couples!

Now, with all of this going on, there will, most likely, not be a lot of fully set tables. This will depend on your available space and budget. Dinner will be a series of stationary and passed Hors D'oeuvres. I suggest creating a conversation pit with comfy chairs or couches and tables, so guests can sit for a bit, as they need to. Another seating option is to set up a few pub tables in the side of the room opposite of the conversation pit for guest seating.

Pub Tables are the tall tables, where you'd use a stool, instead of a chair. These seat two.

Or they can be used as stations for any appetizer display that you don't want passed...say, a Charcuterie Tray or the High Roller Tray...more on that in just a minute! This shot by brojamandala.com (right) shows a pub table with the sapphire overlay gathered by silver extra wide ribbon.

For your Bar Table, do a white or black floor length tablecloth, and use this sapphire as an overlay, with accents of silver in bowls, sconces and such.

Silver card suit candy dishes are perfect for the occasion! Use them for mixed nuts, candy, pretzels, or snack mix! Or, get wild...our Salami Chips or Oven Fried Pickles, awesome!!!

We can do a small cheese tray on the bar, unless you plan on doing a Charcuterie Tray Station on a pub table or on a table in the conversation pit. For this small tray,

I like a combination of medium to sharp cheddar, a pepper jack, Monterey jack and a smoked cheddar/Swiss blend. Note: remember to set out a small bowl for the used toothpicks.

Let's talk Food Stations for a bit. These are little oasis of delightful dishes! You've got to carefully fit these into the budget, as they can be pricey, with your free range grazers! But they are always a hit!

A Charcuterie Station (left) would have a variety of local and imported cheeses, a variety of cured meats, like salami, sopresatta, and pepperoni, with nuts, olives, dried fruits, crostini and breadsticks.

The High Roller Station Tray, below, is a combination of Surf & Turf Appetizers...some ideas would be Steak Bites, Roasted Shrimp, Breaded Clams, Fried Lobster Mac & Cheese Bites, Crab Mini Quiche, maybe some Lamb Lollipops, even! A couple of dipping sauces to fill it out.

One last idea for a Pub Table is a Risotto Martini Bar (or Grits/Polenta Bar) below.

This is a fun option for a Pub Table idea, should you decide to do a third set! The Risotto or Polenta Martini Bar is accompanied by topping choices of Slow Roasted Pulled Roast Beef in Gravy, Shrimp Creole or Saucy BBQ Pulled Pork, so, there's a flavor for every tastebud! Small bowls of fresh chopped scallions, diced fresh tomato, diced red onion and shredded cheese will finish each off to the diner's specific tastes! So much fun and conversation with our interactive food displays!

The portion size is a mere 2 oz, so it's just a few bites; a walking edible, if you will! I would recommend using the faux crystal disposables here!!! Have the Bar manned, so that your risotto or polenta can be kept warm in a crockpot. Utilize one of the 3 small pot electric chafer for the hot toppings, with the cool toppings in small bowls in front.

Note! Small spoons and a place to dispose!

Okay...the rest of the menu will be served as Passed Hors D'Oeuvres. Our wait staff will be elegantly serving you on this special event evening!

You won't choose ALL of these, but any will represent the evening well!

Left, Spicy Shrimp Shots Right, Crab Rangoon Cigars with Asian Sweet Chili Sauce

Left, French Onion Phyllo Tarts

Above, Right, Bacon Jalapeno Popper Bites

Below, Right, Cordon Bleu Bites

Below, Left, Crab & Gouda Stuffed Mushrooms

And, we've got to include the skewers! Italian Sopresatta, Mozzarella & Olive....Italian Sausage, Mozzarella, Grape Tomato, Basil....the Caprese, a mozzarella, cherry tomato and basil leaf with a drizzle of balsamic vinaigrette.

And, you've got to have some sweets for the final flavors! How about some Pecan Pie Mini Tarts? Or maybe, Blue Velvet Mini cupcakes! Or, Key Lime or Sunny Lemon Tartlets! All are pictured, below, and all are seriously delicious!

Set up a Coffee Station and, maybe, do a Tea/Water Station that guests can access throughout the evening. Do, at least, make sure to have ice water available at the bar...it's going to be a GREAT evening!

Towards the end, let the guests 'cash' in their chips, take the scores gather everyone's attention for your prizes! You'll have your Grand Poker Winner or Winners, and overall High Roller, a Baby's Gone Bust 'Looser'...maybe a Best Dressed for both the men and the women...if you have a dance area, maybe have a Night Fever Prize for for the best steppers! Whatever you select, it's going to be a wonderful evening, and your guests will love it!

We don't do more than one of these in a year, so, if you're interested in booking the idea, call me!

Fundraisers require a good amount of planning ahead, as far as planning and reserving equipment, so allow plenty of time!