Sundance auction highlights Labor Day weekend Aug. 31

While some think of CAMP Rehoboth’s Sundance as a chance to experience New York City club atmosphere, lights, and sounds in Rehoboth Beach, that’s only half of the legendary two-day event.

The Sundance auction is held the first night, from 6 to 9 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 31. That night, participants will enjoy a silent auction, live auction with auctioneer Lorne Crawford, and an all-night cocktail buffet and open bar. Up for bid will be a dazzling array of enticing items including art, trips, gifts, sports memorabilia and one-of-a-kind opportunities.

Sundance 2019 – Rainbow XXXII: Ultraviolet Disco Day-Glo Sunrise will raise funds to support the health of the local community, and the fair and equitable treatment of everyone, no matter their sexual orientation or gender identity. In 2018 alone, CAMP Rehoboth outreach programs served over 6,500 individuals, and its health and wellness programs served nearly 10,000.

“If you are looking for a gift for a special someone, or a simple way to pamper yourself, chances are you will find it at the Sundance auction,” said Tara Sheldon, president of VegRehoboth and a CAMP Rehoboth board member. “It truly has something for everyone.”

For example, this year, some lucky bidder will win a 5-piece fire pit chat set with Sunbrella fabric, a perfect setting for summer entertaining. Other items up for bid include a handcrafted Irish tweed quilt, a C.F. Martin & Co. Inc. LXM Little Martin in a padded gig bag, and a painting by Bill Snow, a realist painter known for his landscapes and cityscapes.

The Sundance auction typically has 450 or more items. “You never know what the next item will be,” said Glen Pruitt, one of the volunteers who worked on auction item descriptions. “It might be a Barbra Streisand Collector Barbie doll, a hand-painted shirt, a piece of gorgeous jewelry or a selection of artisan chocolates. I can hardly wait to see what wild and wonderful items we have this year!”

The auction is known for its unique offerings. “I will never forget when we auctioned off a quilt that someone made from Sundance T-shirts,” said Mark Purpura, president of Equality Delaware Foundation and a CAMP Rehoboth board member. “It exemplified not only the dedication of our volunteers in terms of the sheer number of hours it must have taken to make the quilt, but also the value bidders placed on the historical memories of Sundance within that quilt.”

Highlighting the auction each year are the exciting travel opportunities. This year, Accent on Travel and Uniworld Boutique River Cruises are donating a seven-night cruise worth up to $5,600, depending on departure date and itinerary the winning bidder selects. The winner can choose from seven European itineraries and travel anytime through December 2020. The package includes accommodations, meals and daily excursions, and 100 percent of the bid will be donated to CAMP Rehoboth. Also up for bid is a trip for two in the Vista suite on Olivia’s Pacific Coastal Cruise, April 23-29, 2020 (a value of nearly $6,000). The trip includes stops in San Diego, Santa Barbara, San Francisco, Astoria, Seattle and Vancouver.

Sundance offers two nights of fun. The second night, Sunday, Sept. 1, is the two-for-one Sundance, which includes the Sundance Disco Twilight Tea from 7 to 10 p.m. featuring DJ legend Robbie Leslie, and the traditional Sundance from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. with music by DJ/Remixer Joe Gauthreaux and lights by Paul Turner.

Participants can attend either or both nights of the event. Tickets are $50 for one night, $90 for both.

To purchase tickets, go to www.camprehoboth.com. To learn about hosting and sponsorship opportunities and discuss payment options, call Murray Archibald at 302-227-5620.

All proceeds from Sundance benefit CAMP Rehoboth, a nonprofit corporation, and support the activities and programs it provides to the Rehoboth community. For more information, go to www.camprehoboth.com.