Concierge Guide

Connecticut Convention Center | 100 Columbus Boulevard | Hartford, CT (Directions on Google)

Complimentary self-parking is available in the Convention Center garage for all Gala guests.

Complimentary valet parking is available at the Marriott Hotel to all Gala Honorary Committee table hosts and the following sponsors and their table guests: 

• Presenting Sponsor - Johnson Brunetti
• Impact Story Sponsor – All Waste
• Patient Ambassador Sponsors – SouthOcean Capital Partners & ROTHA
• Surprise and Delight Sponsor – Manafort Family Foundation
• Guest Experience Sponsors – Gengras, Harvest Properties, McPhee, Metro Realty, LaRosa Groups, Prime Materials Recovery, Inc.

Parking vouchers will be distributed at registration, which will take place on the Exhibition Hall level at the Convention Center.

Important Reminder:

Please remember to bring a fully charged phone to the venue.

Wi-Fi for all attendees

• Username:  Moon
• Password:  Starlight

Black-tie optional; Coat check will be available next to registration on the Exhibition Hall level.

Sugar Ray 
Beyond sales of 10 million records, four top 10 songs, over a billion streams, and millions of tickets sold, Sugar Ray—co-founded by Mark McGrath [vocals] and Rodney Sheppard [lead guitar]—embodies the endless summer of popular music and culture.

Joyous String Ensemble 
Joyous String Ensemble features exceptional young musicians who have performed on “Ellen DeGeneres Show”, ABC’s “Good Morning America”, and NBC's "The Today Show", also at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the White House and other world-renowned venues.

ESPN and Local Celebrities:

• Laura Rutledge 

• Elle Duncan 

• Dan and Andrea Hurley

• Field Yates 

• Gary Striewski

• Alexis Nunes

• Seth Greenberg

6:00–7:30 p.m. – Celestial Cocktail Reception

Enjoy a sparkling cocktail reception filled with elevated bites, signature sips, and luminous moments around every corner. Capture the magic at celestial-inspired photo opportunities, delight in captivating entertainment, and get an exclusive first look at our premier silent auction packages before the evening’s brightest treasures are claimed.

7:30–9:30 p.m. – Lighting the Way Forward

As the stars align, take your seat for an unforgettable dinner and Gala program celebrating hope, healing, and the power of philanthropy to illuminate what’s possible. Be moved by courageous patient stories, inspired by special candlelight performances by Joyous String Ensemble and aerialist Serenity Smith Forchion who will make the evening shine even brighter, and take part in extraordinary live auction. Then, join us for our heartfelt Bid for Kids live appeal and help light the way forward for the children and families who count on Connecticut Children’s every day.

9:30 p.m. – Midnight – After Party Under the Stars

As the formal program comes to a close, the celebration continues beneath the stars. Join us for an electrifying after-party filled with music by Sugar Ray and DJ TNYRMS as we celebrate a night that is helping shape a brighter future for children. 

Passed Appetizers for Pre-event Reception:

• Lemongrass chicken pot sticker with ponzu sauce
• Caponata phyllo star (an elegant, plant-based appetizer featuring traditional Sicilian caponata (a sweet and tangy medley of eggplant, roasted tomatoes, onions, olives, and pine nuts) folded into a star-shaped, flaky phyllo dough shell) gf/vg
• Salmon lomi lomi fresh (cold water salmon marinated with tomato, cilantro, peppers and lime juice served on a spoon)

Stationary Appetizers for Pre-event Reception:

• Antipasto display – Assortment of Italian salamis, cured meats and cheeses marinated mozzarella cheese, grilled vegetables, olives and artichokes, sliced Italian and flavored focaccia breads
• Mediterranean sampler – White bean, rosemary and olive oil dip garlic hummus, tabbouleh and spiced eggplant puree, toasted pita chips, flatbread and baby carrots
• Asian noodle display – Soba noodles with crispy duck and hoisin, rice noodles with crisp vegetables and spicy orange sauce, ginger seared ahi tuna with lo mein noodles and scallions

3-Course Plated Dinner: 

• Stardust “Harvest” Salad – Arugula & Romaine salad, mixed root vegetables, purple cauliflower, blueberry pearls with Green Goddess Ranch dressing and parmesan crips
• Twin Constellation – “Fall Surf & Turf” beef tenderloin with zucchini-dill stuffed flounder, celestial mashed potatoes, roasted mini vegetables, cremini demi, and lemon cream sauce
• Milky Way at Midnight – Maine blueberry & sweet peach mousse “orb” resting atop a chocolate saucer

Vegan/Gluten-free option:

• General Tso Tofu with Jasmine rice, broccolini, carrots, celery, red peppers, and water chestnuts

If you have not already alerted us of any food allergies or dietary restrictions, please email us at Gala [at] connecticutchildrens.org (Gala[at]connecticutchildrens[dot]org) 

Signature Cocktails:  Also available as a mocktail.

Purple Nebula

• Vodka
• Grape juice
• Ginger ale

The Scarlet Orbit

• Vodka
• Ginger Ale
• Cranberry Juice
• Lime Juice

Connecticut Children’s Gala Auction is live for pre-event bidding and will continue throughout the Gala via mobile bidding.

To bid or register for mobile bidding:

• Text ccgala26 to 44834
• Add contact and credit card information for quick checkout
• Click Silent Auction in the menu or the Gavel icon to view our online auction
• Click Donate or the Hand Holding Heart icon to make your Bid for Kids gift when prompted during the Bid for Kids Live Appeal

Nearly 60,000 children come through our Emergency Department every year seeking urgent medical and mental health care.

As the busiest Level I Pediatric Trauma Center between Boston and New York, our teams care for children facing everything from traumatic injuries and acute medical emergencies to severe behavioral health crises.

This year's Bid for Kids appeal will help transform the Emergency Department into a space that reflects the excellence of the care provided inside it.

Thank You to Our Generous Supporters

Click here to view our digital program book