KENT, Conn.—The ice thaw may be underway in the Litchfield Hills this last week of February, but snow—not a messy snow—is in the forecast.
“It’ll be snowy, dreamy,” Anna de Rham, director of family and community engagement and substitute teacher at Kent Community Nursery School, forecast for March 1.
That’s when the nursery school will hold a special event, a Winter Snow Ball, a benefit for the 60-plus-year-old school from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Kent Community House on Route 7.
Décor for the event, open to those 21 and older, will be that of winter.
This will be the second year the nonprofit 501(c)(3) early education center will present an event like this. Last year, a similar benefit was held but it was based on an enchanted forest theme.
“We try to align it with the philosophy of the school – nature-based, play based, programs,” de Rham said of finding the theme for a benefit.
A Winter Snow Ball will feature music, dancing, a silent auction, a pocket game, small bites, cocktails and a celebration of community.
de Rham said this event is new to the education center, having begun last year as a new way to “have a night out for parents to support the nursery school” and celebrate the community.
For years the center’s main fundraising event has been Pancakes with Santa, which is held annually the middle of December. It began in the mid-1990s.
The Pancakes with Santa event brings in, on average, $2,000. de Rham said last year’s An Enchanted Evening brought in more and she expects this year’s event will do the same.
“It was nice for everybody to go out and dress up a little—not super fancy, though,” said Kendra Escobedo, of New Milford, who attended last year’s benefit.
“It was great to be together as a community and hang out together,” she said. “It does really bring everybody out.”
Escobedo’s 4-year-old daughter is following in the footsteps of her two older sisters, 6, and 8, who also attended the school.
“I love the school… it’s such a special place,” she said. “It’s a great little nursery school. I like how the teachers care so much about the kids. I’m always in the loop about what’s going on.”
She also praised the center for the value they place on outside time.
“They don’t mind the kids getting messy,” she quipped. “It’s all about the kids.”
While the center’s philosophy is all about the children, the Snow Ball benefit will shift its attention and provide entertainment for parents and other community members.
A silent auction will feature an assortment of items, including artwork by Heather Scofield, Susan Grisell and Shannon Blanton; a piece of art created by students at Kent Community Nursery School; a one-year tennis membership at Kent School; tickets aboard the Essex steam train; and a vacation in Kissimmee, Fla.
In addition, a game of chance will be offered with the Pocket Lady, who will don a big cape with many pockets, each of which will have a prize. For a small fee, a guest can pick a pocket and win a prize.
Prizes could include items such as alcohol nips, candy, fortune teller fish, among other things. Or guests can vie for a gold star that could reveal a bigger prize, such as a gift certificate to a local business.
Music from a playlist de Rham and others have been building “for months” will provide entertainment geared toward getting people on the dance floor. That was popular last year, according to Escobedo.
So far, the list has “pop hits from today, a lot of ‘80s music… a total mix of music,” de Rham related.
Stephen Donzella, who has catered community dinners and events, will provide hors d’oeuvres, and Rosie’s Kitchen will serve sweets. Alcoholic drinks will be available.
Tickets to the event are $35 and can be purchased here and at the door. Sponsorships are also available.
