Light the Way at Royal Bash 2026
In case you missed it, our annual fundraiser, Royal Bash, is happening on Saturday, March 14, at the Metropolitan Ballroom. Tickets are on sale now.
The core purpose of Royal Bash is to support all families by fostering world-class education at Hopkins Public Schools. So we invite you to set your cares aside for one night and come together to invest in a bright future for our students.
With that in mind, here are three ways to get the most out of your experience, as well as three ways to get a taste of Royal Bash even if you can’t attend.
While you’re at Royal Bash …
1. Take home something fun
Our silent auction is going to be filled with fun items like themed baskets, gift cards, experiences, and more. When you bid and win, your funds support our Spark Grants, which kickstart innovative classroom projects. So it’s win/win. You take home something cool, and our students have more to look forward to in their classrooms.
2. Get your head into the game(s)
You know about the live and silent auctions, but don’t sleep on the games! If you spent your childhood sick days and snow days watching The Price Is Right, you’ll feel right at home with PLINKO. Or, look for volunteers roaming the room selling beads and offering a chance to win in a fun, group Heads or Tails game held at the end of the evening. Don’t forget to head over to our putting contest and take a shot. Games are priced at various levels and will run throughout the evening, so play early and often! Especially if you want dibs on the best PLINKO prizes. (Spoiler alert: it’s booze.)
3. Jump-start your spring and summer plans
While you’re browsing the silent auction, be sure to stop by the Great Gatherings table and register for an event or two. Great Gatherings are fun social events held throughout the spring and summer. Favorites like Moms & Mimosas and Dudes & Drams will be joined by other fun outings yet to be announced! These events have limited capacity and sell out fast, so grab your spot while you can. Plus, our live auction will feature luxury travel experiences, including a private chef’s dinner, glamping in Grand Marais, and a week-long stay on Mexico’s Pacific coast. Check your calendars, then let the bidding begin!
If you can’t attend …
1. Bid in the silent auction
Did you know you can bid on and win silent auction items from afar? It’s true! You can preview items on our website starting in late February, with more items added as we get closer to the event. Bidding opens March 9.
Long-distance winners will be notified via email after the Royal Bash. It’s free to register as a virtual silent auction bidder.
3. Buy a raffle ticket
Pop quiz: what’s the easiest way to turn $100 into $1,000? Buy a Royal Bash raffle ticket! Each $100 ticket gives you a chance to win the $1,000 cash jackpot. Reach out to your friendly neighborhood HEF board member or our Foundation Manager, Jana Hoober, at Jana.Hoober@hopkinsschools.org or 952-988-4097 to purchase a ticket. Or two.
3. Make a cash or in-kind donation
At the risk of being crass, cash is king. If you can’t join us at the event, but still want to be a part of Royal Bash, a direct donation is the easiest and most efficient way to contribute. Alternatively, donating an item to the silent auction is a fun way to be involved. Does your business have products that would be suitable? Are you a woodworker? A quilter? Heck: Are you looking for a subtle way to regift the ice cream maker from three Christmases ago that’s sitting in your basement, unopened? (Asking for a friend.) If you’ve got an item to contribute, get the ball rolling by filling out this form.
Whether we see you at Royal Bash or not, we want to thank you, the Hopkins community, for supporting us and supporting education more broadly. We couldn’t do this work without you. For more ways to get involved year-round, head to our How to Help page. Together, we make Hopkins strong.
