The Making of Club 66’s 2012 ROCKtoberFête

Today's post is written by Ginger Lackey, Chair, Fundraising, Events & Marketing Committee, Club 66

Last year, the Steering Committee of Club 66 at Wolf Trap:Young Professionals Supporting the Arts produced Wolf Trap's first annual ROCKtoberFête. Not only did we throw one happenin' party, but we exceeded our fundraising and ticket sales goal generating $20,000 in support for Wolf Trap Foundation Education Programs, which reach more than 75,000 children and adults yearly across the nation.

With this success under our belt, we are onto the next challenge: do it all over again, but better! For this year’s ROCKtoberFête on Saturday, October 27^th, we have a 5-step “Plan of Attack,” which I have simplified below (so as not to give away all our secrets): 

Step #1: Find a venue, ideally one with great character, beauty, and capacity; and secure a caterer, hopefully one with unmatched skill, taste, and creativity. Okay, this one was easy! The Barns at Wolf Trap is the perfect venue for a fall gathering, and Wolf Trap Foundation’s excellent catering team is again ready and willing. 

Step #2: Engage young leaders to support the event! This is my favorite part of the process and easier than it sounds. Friend-raising, as it is called, is sharing your passion, explaining to friends and colleagues why you believe in and support Wolf Trap's mission. At this point, we've engaged a Host Committee of nearly 20 young professionals who are also spreading the word.

Step #3: Recruit sponsors. Here’s the question: which companies in the area could benefit from exposure to 250 active, young professionals? The answer: a list too long to print. I am proud that we have already met our fundraising goal…but friends, we ain't stopping there! If you or your company is interested in supporting Wolf Trap Foundation Education Programs while gaining access to this target market, please contact club66@wolftrap.org.

Step # 4: Finalize the many event details, including:

• signing the popular modern rock band Honor By August;
•  confirm the DJ to ensure some seriously good dance music; 
• organize the round-trip shuttle to/from Clarendon Metro (available for a small fee); 
• transform The Barns into a Wild West saloon for courageous cowfolks, ruthless outlaws, and all those in between;  
• and book the photo booth so all the fun is recorded for posterity's sake! 

The final, and for some, most important...

Step #5: figure out what to wear! The suggested attire is Halloween chic, so you can arrive in costume as Buffalo Bill, Calamity Jane, or Roy Rogers, don your most fabulous cocktail ensemble, or land somewhere in between. Personally, I am not sure how to top my beehive wig from last year (radius roughly 18” – no joke, see the picture to the right). However, with a Texas cowboy for a husband, I know where to find a good hat, a set of spurs, and some mean boots. Annie Oakley, here I come!

With this plan of attack, the Club 66 Steering Committee has you covered. All you have to do is grab your partner, hitch up the wagon, and get on down to the Wildest Party in the West, Club 66's second annual ROCKtoberFête!