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Friday, March 29, 2024

Fundraiser floats into port

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By Jacob Mohr

Intern

Local residents have a chance to support children’s learning while enjoying the style and comfort of opulent yachts.

Saturday, Oct. 18, the Children’s Museum of Wilmington will hold its fourth annual YachtVenture fundraiser at MarineMax in Wrightsville Beach. Functioning more like a boat show than a typical fundraiser, YachtVenture gives attendees access to luxury vessels on loan from area yacht owners.

Olivia Causby, Children’s Museum of Wilmington marketing and development coordinator, said unlike most of the museum’s events, YachtVenture is designed for an adult audience.

“YachtVenture is modeled after a boat show in Monaco,” Causby said. “It’s a big, elegant red-carpet event, far different from what the children’s museum usually does. We’re normally very kid focused and hands on and laid back. YachtVenture is definitely adults only.”

During YachtVenture, guests have the opportunity to walk the red carpet, board and explore more than 10 yachts, dine on gourmet food, visit the complimentary bar and listen to live music.

“We have 11 yachts as of now, but that changes every day,” Causby said. “Our current largest yacht is 65½ feet, and our smallest is 39 feet. Boats need to be about 40 feet in length to be included — otherwise, it’s not a yacht.”

New to YachtVenture for 2014 is the inclusion of the City of Wilmington’s 50-foot-long fireboat.

“We try to mix it up and have something a little different every year,” Causby said. “That way, people have something new to look forward to. We’re really excited about the fireboat. It’s got hoses and fireworks and all kinds of amazing things it can do.”

In addition to exploring yachts, attendees may also participate in a silent auction and raffle.

“We’ve had some amazing prizes in the past,” Causby said. “We’ve had hunting trips and spa vacations. I know last year we had sold-out Justin Timberlake tickets. There’s so much you can walk away from the event with.”

Local band L-Shape Lot returns this year to provide live music for the fundraiser.

“I know [L-Shape Lot] are good friends with some of our steering committee for YachtVenture,” Causby said. “They’re very popular and are always a good draw for the event.”

Causby said the luxury and spectacle of the event are the major draws for YachtVenture.

“I don’t know of too many other events like this in the area,” Causby said. “Even for people who grew up in Wilmington … there’s a good chance they’ve never set foot on a yacht. It’s a way for people to experience that elevated lifestyle that most of us aren’t privy to.”

Causby said the children’s museum hopes this year’s YachtVenture will be its most successful yet.

“We brought in about $30,000-$35,000 last year in net revenue,” she said. “That makes it our largest fundraiser of the year. We’re a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, so we do rely on donations and grants and people supporting us to keep our doors open. We’re hoping for $50,000 this year — it’s ambitious, but we hope it’ll be our best year yet. We’ve got more of a reputation now.”

YachtVenture will take place 6-10 p.m. at MarineMax, 130 Short St. in Wrightsville Beach. Tickets are $100 per person prior, $125 per person day of the event. Raffle tickets are $100 each. Purchase tickets online at www.yachtventure.org or www.playwilmington.org

Tickets may also be purchased at the Children’s Museum of Wilmington.

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