PTA auction departs for NYC on Nov. 9

By Sarah Gantt

Lakewood transformed into the city that never sleeps today. The theme of this year’s auction party was unveiled at Lakewood’s Fourth of July parade with a NYC skyline-themed float. The Manhattan entourage rolled down Lakewood Boulevard’s concrete jungle, exciting the crowds with bits of Frank Sinatra and Jay Z playing in the background.

This year’s “Lakewood Takes a Bite Out of the Big Apple” auction party, sponsored by Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate, will open its doors on Friday, Nov. 9, at 7:30 p.m. at the Hilton Anatole Hotel. The auction party sells out every year, so guests are encouraged to buy tickets early.

This must-attend event will feature live and silent auctions as well as a seated dinner, with nods to the bright lights and big city. Those seeking the VIP treatment can opt for Premiere tickets to guarantee a select table and front-row seating at the auction. The live auction will feature a variety of items including a custom playhouse built by Patten Custom Homes.

Partygoers are invited to tap into their Upper East Side attire with costumes ranging from Carrie Bradshaw to Frank Sinatra to The Real Housewives of New York. Formal gowns and cocktail attire also welcome. A local favorite, The Jordan Kahn Orchestra, will have the crowd on their feet and sure to be in an “Empire State of Mind” by night’s end.

“We can’t wait for everyone to come and party in the city that never sleeps! Take a stroll through Central Park and stop for a quick tennis match, drink cosmopolitans and gaze at the skyline, or dance the night away in Times Square … all while raising funds to help our children’s educations,” an event coordinator said.

The 42nd Annual Lakewood Home Festival supports three local public schools: Lakewood Elementary School, J.L. Long Middle School and Woodrow Wilson High School. The auction party will be followed by the home tour on Saturday, Nov. 10 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 11 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. The candlelight tour will take place on Saturday evening from 6-9 p.m., kicking off with a VIP reception. Home tour tickets range in price from $20 to $30 and will be available at select neighborhood locations or at lakewoodhomefestival.com.

Hosted by the LECPTA, the Lakewood Home Festival is a community-wide event that raises much-needed funds for local public schools. The funds directly benefit students through the purchase of school materials, computers and enrichment programs. Visit lakewoodhomefestival.com for more information.