Event Details: The Basics

• What is the Gala?

  • The Gala is Brooks’ largest fundraiser of the year. It is a kid-free evening of drinks, dinner, silent and live auctions, raffle prizes, and dancing, great music, and other activities that fill the room with joy & laughter! And the best part - it is all to benefit our school! 

  • This year we are raising money to help update the technoloy in our STEAM Lab at school, in addition to raising money for our programs that require annual backing (classroom enrichment funds for teachers, field trips, student assemblies, garden and art programs, and more). 

• When and where is the Gala?

  • Friday, March 20, 2026 from 5:30 - 10:00 p.m. at Red Hawk Casino located at 1 Red Hawk Pkwy, Placerville, CA 95667

• What is the theme of this year’s event?

  • This year’s theme is Rhinestone Rodeo: A Boots & Bling Gala. 

• Why should I go to the Gala?

  • This is a fun adults-only event to celebrate our kids, the William Brooks staff and community, and is a great way to meet other Brooks families and hang out with the families you already know.

  • Enjoy drinks and dinner, and have the opportunity to win fun prizes! And the best part - it is all to benefit our school! 

• I don't have childcare. What should I do?

  • We've got you covered​! Children ages 30 months-12 years can be dropped off at Red Hawk's supervised play center, Kids Quest, for 20% off regular prices! Visit the Kid's Club website for more details.

• Can I get a discount on a hotel room at the resort?

  • Yes! ​Call the reservations department at (530) 677-7000 and mention "William Brooks Elementary PTA" and the block code "2603WILLIA" to receive a discount on a Deluxe King or Deluxe Queen room on March 20th.

    • Deluxe King: $359.00

    • Deluxe Queen: $379.00

Please note that rooms MUST be booked by February 20th in order to receive the discounted rate. 

 

Evening Events​​

• Throughout the evening you can play the Wine Pull Game, where $20 gets you a mystery bottle of wine valued from $20-$100.

• You can buy wine, beer, and cocktails at the bar. 

• The Silent Auction Tables will open at 5:30 pm and close by section from 7:00 to 7:30pm. You can bid on items and services donated by local companies and Brooks teachers and staff.

• For a fee, you can play the Heads or Tails Game for the chance to win a prize. In this game, players guess if a coin will land on heads or tails. Those who got it right continue to play until there is only one winner.

• You can enter your raffle tickets for a chance to win your favorite Class Basket and we will announce the winners of the Class Basket Raffle.

• There will be a Buffet Dinner followed by Dessert.

• During the Live Auction, you will have a chance to bid on the most coveted prizes of the evening. 

• After the live auction around 8:45 pm, the Dance Floor will open up and Checkout will open.

• Last call for the bar is at 9:45 with doors closing at 10:00 pm. 

Other Questions about the Evening

• Who will I sit with?

  • Our event is open seating so you can grab a table with friends or share a table with new people.

  • The only way to have reserved seats at the event is to buy a table for 8 for you and your friends.

• What should I wear? Do I have to get fancy?

  • You can wear your date night best or wear your jeans. You can dress in classic cowboy attire and glam it up with some bling! Whatever you want to wear works for us - we just want you to come! 

• How will I know what the rules are for all of the activities at the Gala?

  • The rules of all activities and games will be included in the program handed out at the event.

• I won something at the event. What do I do now?

  • Congratulations! When you check out at the check-out table at the end of the night, the check-out volunteers will let you know which silent and live auction items you have won, if you do not already know. You can pick up the silent-auction items and raffle baskets and the volunteers will give you any certificates or gift cards associated with your item. Make sure to take note of any expiration dates so you don’t miss out! 

• Where do I park and how do I get home?

  • Valet and self-parking are both available at the Red Hawk Casino. 

  • Please do not drink and drive. We encourage you to have a designated driver for the evening or to use ride-share. 

 

Ticket Purchases

• How do I buy tickets?

  • You can buy tickets and get more information at the PTA website www.williambrookspta.org/events/gala. You can buy your ticket electronically on the website or by returning the paper ticket form and your payment (cash or check) to your child's teacher or the front office by February 27th.

  • Note that we are using the Greater Giving software for online ticket sales and for purchases at the event.  When you buy your ticket online, you will have the option of having Greater Giving save your credit card information for faster check-out at the event.

• How much does it cost?

  • Early-bird tickets are available for $85 each or $640 for a VIP table for 8 people. VIP Tables are the only tables with reserved seating and include a bottle of champagne. On February 22nd, prices increase to $100 per ticket and $760 per table until ticket sales end on February 27th.

• Is there a way I can avoid credit card fees?

  • If you prefer to avoid the credit card fees charged by Greater Giving, you may purchase gala and raffle tickets by returning the paper ticket form and your payment (cash or check) to your child's teacher or the front office by February 27th.​

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Sponsorships, Donations, and Volunteering

• Can I volunteer at the event?

  • Yes please!! Please consider volunteering before, during, or after the Gala as we need a lot of volunteers to make it run smoothly and be a big success. If you are attending the Gala, please consider volunteering for an hour shift during the event. If you are not attending the Gala but can volunteer during the event, no ticket is required. Please sign up to help HERE.

• Can I sponsor the event or donate an item for the silent or live auction?

  • Of course you can! Information on how you can become a sponsor, make a monetary donation, and/or donate goods or services can be found at the PTA website www.williambrookspta.org/events/gala. Email wbrookspta@gmail.com with any questions.

• Can I help teachers and staff that want to attend the event?

  • Yes! When you buy your ticket, you can choose to contribute to the Teacher & Staff Ticket Fund to help offset the cost of tickets for the teachers and staff who wish to attend the event. ​

• I can’t make it to the Gala but would still like to help. What can I do?

  • If you would like to make a monetary donation you can do so HERE or by filling out the bottom portion of the paper ticket form and returning it with your donation.

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