A round of poker with actor Tony Shalhoub and director Peter Farrelly, a party for 50 at the Ritz with Johnny Hoy and the Bluefish and a sail on a Black Dog tall ship are among the possibilities this year for bidders in the 39th annual Art Buchwald Possible Dreams Auction.
The auction is the largest single fundraiser for Martha’s Vineyard Community Services. It will be held on Sunday, July 30, under a tent at the Winnetu Oceanside Resort in Edgartown. A range of items suitable for pocketbooks large and small will be auctioned off.
All proceeds benefit the six programs of Community Services: Disability Services, Connect to End Violence, Early Childhood Programs, the Island Counseling Center, the Island Wide Youth Collaborative and The Thrift Shop. The programs serve more than 6,000 Islanders and visitors annually. Last year, the auction raised about $400,000.
A new auctioneer will be at the helm this year: Sherry Truhlar, a career nonprofit fundraiser auctioneer with Red Apple Auctions. “It’s going to be a whole new ball game with someone who really understands this industry and how to make the biggest impact. That’s huge for us,” said Community Services development coordinator Jessica Rogers this week.
And while it raises money for serious needs, the event is still intended to be celebratory. A large white tent will call guests in to eat Spearpoint oysters from nearby Katama Bay. Josh and Angela Aronie will pass snacks through the window of the Food Truck and Island Cocktail Company will serve drinks made with Martha’s Vineyard Distilling Company liquor. Beer will be provided by Bad Martha Brewing Company and wine will come from Your Market, with soft drinks available as well.
The PickPocket bluegrass band will keep the silent auction from being too quiet. From 3:30 to 4:45 p.m., bidders can mark their bids to the sound of the mandolin. Art, jewelry, clothing, and food and wine packages will be available. Auction chairman Liza May said she focused on a wide range of prices that people with different budgets can afford.
Of the 26 dreams available this year, more than half are new. A complete list can be found online.
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