AUCTION FAQs

What is the Lily B. Clayton PTA Auction?

Auction is the Lily B. Clayton PTA's adult-only spring fundraising event. The event is designed to bring together Lily B. parents and community members for an evening of fun, delicious food and drinks, and shared support for our sweet school! Supporters of Lily B. celebrate our school and PTA and financially contribute through ticket purchases, sponsorships, and winning bids and purchase of a variety of items including "Auction Parties," spots on the birthday marquee, and our kids' art.

The proceeds from Auction are used to support all the wonderful work our PTA does each year, as well as a specific project supported with funds raised during Auction's "Paddles Up" donation moment. To make the event a success, we need YOU to...ATTEND! VOLUNTEER! DONATE!

How does Auction work?

Why should I go to the Auction?

It’s really fun, you can meet other parents and hang out with Lily B. teachers and staff, and ALL the proceeds from Auction support Lily B.!

Where is Auction this year?

Auction will be held at the Fort Worth Zoo!

What happens during the Auction itself?

In-person ticket purchasers arrive at 6:30 pm. At check-in guests will receive drink tickets, their live auction bidder number, and any additional add-on items purchased (like "Heads or Tails" entries or "Golden Tickets"). All guests will have the opportunity to purchase additional drinks (in excess of their allotted drink tickets) at a cash bar.

This year, attendees will enjoy dinner and dessert catered by the Fort Worth Zoo, live music from the Brad Thompson Band, and tons of throwback fun!

During the live auction, in-person attendees will have an opportunity to bid on items such as priceless original works of art created by each grade level, unique experiences, and fabulous trips. In addition, each year the Auction includes a "Paddles Up!" donation moment during which everyone will have an opportunity to leave a lasting mark at Lily B. by donating to a specific PTA project.

How does Auction bidding work?

The Auction consists of silent auction and a live auction. Silent auction bidding is done digitally via smartphone, and the silent auction will be accessible here by ticket-holders who attend the Auction in person as well as by virtual ticket-holders. The silent auction will open at 8:30 pm on March 24 and end at 11:00 pm on March 29 (Auction day!). In the days before bidding opens, you will receive text and email messages with instructions on how to bid using your mobile device. Items available for bidding/purchasing will be available to preview prior to March 24 so that you can mark your “favorites” and be ready to act on hot items that evening.

Handbid is our mobile auction software. All ticket holders (including virtual ticket holders) must download the Handbid app and enable notifications to receive important information. 

Ticket holders MUST be registered as a BIDDER and provide a credit card in order to bid/purchase. If you were the one to purchase your tickets, this happened automatically. If someone purchased for you, you must use the link they sent to register as a bidder and complete your profile.

Is this a couples' thing?

No. You can come with your partner, solo or with friends. It's a great night to make new friends too!

What is the theme of this year's Auction?

LBC TV!

Do I have to wear a wild outfit?

No. Many people do, and fun outfits are encouraged. With this year's theme of "LBC TV" (think MTV), there are so many possibilities!

Do I have to spend a lot of money?

Well, that would be great for Lily B., but there are lots of different items at Auction at various price points. 

Tickets to Auction are priced consistently with our fundraising goals, keeping in mind the costs that go into making Auction happen (venue, linen and equipment rentals, catering, etc.). To remain mission-focused, our PTA is responsible for ensuring that any PTA event serves our charitable purposes, which are focused on our mission to make every child's potential a reality. Auction's primary goal is to raise funds to support the PTA's annual budget and all the wonderful work our PTA does each year, so every ticket is priced in a manner that allows us to at least cover the costs of attendance. 

If you are interested in attending but cost is an obstacle for you, please contact auction@lilybclayton.org.

What kinds of items are available for Auction bidding?

We are collecting items, so we need your support in building out a great list of Auction items for bidding! Please think of what you could possibly donate, who you know who might be willing to contribute, and places you frequent that you could ask for a donation. Examples of live auction items include a ride to school in a firetruck, story time with the mayor, original artwork, and vacation stays at donors' vacation homes. Examples of silent auction items include gift cards to your favorite restaurant or store, golf outings, gift baskets, jewelry and accessories. You can use the forms available here to collect and donate auction items.

In addition to donated items, the silent auction will include Auction Parties, teacher and staff experiences and lunches, Lily B. perks, and opportunities to have your child's name on the birthday marquee!

How do I get the items I purchased in the silent auction or during the live auction?

If attending in-person, item purchases may be picked up before leaving the Auction venue. Items not picked up at the venue must be picked up at the Pick-Up Party at a home in Berkeley Place on Sunday, March 30 between 12:00 pm and 3:00 pm, or—for a $10 delivery fee—your items will be delivered to you during this window. Purchased items must be picked up (or delivered with payment of a $10 fee) on March 30. Items not picked up on March 30 will be subject to a $25 holding charge.

Note that there is nothing to pick up for Auction Parties, teacher and staff experiences, Lily B. perks, or birthday marquee or swarm. 

Tell me more about these Auction Parties.

An Auction Party is a party hosted by parents for which tickets are sold at Auction. Since party hosts pay for all of the party costs, 100% of money raised from party ticket sales goes to the school! Please refer to the Auction Parties Page or contact Kate Cochran, Auction Parties Chair, for more information. If you're ready to host, you can submit your Auction Party information here.

Tickets for Auction Parties are instant-sale items sold at a set price through the silent auction's mobile bidding app.

What are the teacher and staff experiences and Lily B. perks?

Each year, our generous teachers and staff members volunteer to provide experiences and perks for students that you can bid on as part of the silent auction. These experiences have typically included things like lunch with a teacher, art projects after school, and bowling and movie outings with their teachers; Principal/Assistant Principal for the day; and Guest Librarian during pre-k storytime. Teacher and staff experiences will take place during the spring on a date coordinated with the applicable teacher or staff member.

Lily B. perks have included special perks like the opportunity to design a spirit shirt, free dress weeks, and ice cream parties for kiddos, as well as adult perks like Volunteer Fast-Passes and VIP seating at school programs.

How do I purchase a spot on the birthday marquee?

There are three spots available on the birthday marquee each week of the school year.  These spots are instant-sale items sold at a set price through the silent auction's mobile bidding app. Birthday marquee spots typically sell out very quickly once the silent auction opens for bidding, so have your bidding finger ready!

What is the birthday "Swarm"?

The birthday "Swarm" is another opportunity to celebrate your child's birthday with a swarm of Lily B. yard signs in your front yard! There is one spot per week available for instant sale through the silent auction's mobile bidding app. Please note that families who are swarmed will be expected to move the swarm signs to the next “Swarmee” absent extenuating circumstances.

I'd like to know more about Paddles Up!

Each year the Auction includes a "Paddles Up" donation moment during which everyone in attendance will have an opportunity to leave a lasting mark at Lily B. by donating to a specific PTA project. 

What is "Heads or Tails"?

For this game, our auctioneers will ask everyone who has purchased a chance to participate to stand and choose “heads” or “tails.” A coin will be flipped and if you chose correctly, you remain standing. If you chose incorrectly, you sit down. The game goes on until there is only one person left, and that person wins! Occasionally we like to mix this game up by offering the chance to buy back in after a few rounds, but you can’t buy back in if you didn’t pay to play from the start! Chances cost $25 at Auction, or you can buy early and get one for $20! You must be present at Auction to play this game.

What is a "Golden Ticket"?

Golden Tickets are available for purchase as an add-on item for $200, with only 100 available. Each Golden Ticket is an entry into a raffle offering the winner the exclusive opportunity to claim a live auction item (other than grade level art pieces, which are excluded) before the evening's bidding officially begins. You must be present at Auction to win. If fewer than 30 Golden Tickets are purchased, the raffle will not take place, and purchases will be refunded.

Any other cool new add-ons this year?

Yes! This year, you can purchase one of eight "TRL Trendsetter" perks that give you the opportunity to request the band to play a song of your choice. Auction t-shirts will be available for pre-order three weeks before the event. And if you like to be able to peruse a printed version of the Auction Guide, those will be available for purchase as well.

When will tickets go on sale, and how much do they cost?

There are a variety of ticket options with different levels of benefits, and they are described in the Sponsorship & Ticket Information Packet.

If you or your business is interested in attending Auction as a sponsor, sponsorship packages including tickets are available now and may be purchased here.

Ticket options are available for purchase here through March 18. 

If you are interested in attending but cost is an obstacle for you, please contact auction@lilybclayton.org.

Can I sponsor the ticket of a teacher or staff member?

Yes! $75 covers the cost for a faculty members ticket, and every donation, big or small, makes a meaningful impact in showing our appreciation for the incredible Sweet Lily B. staff!

The Auction Team's goal is to secure sponsors for every teacher or staff member who wants to attend Auction, and you can contact auction@lilybclayton.org to make sure your donation is matched with a staff member who plans to attend Auction.

What should I tell my child's grandparent or neighbor who is interested in supporting Lily B.?

Grandparents, neighbors, and family friends can support Lily B. by making a donation to Auction. Please refer to the Friends & Family Donations Page for more information.

How can I help the Auction Committee?

Please contact Auction Chair, Taylor Church, at auction@lilybclayton.org, to volunteer. Auction is a major undertaking that requires support from many members of our community, so we appreciate all contributions (great and small) made to support our efforts.

Where can I get more information?

Follow @lbcauction on Instagram for the latest updates! Information about everything that will be available for bidding or purchase will be posted as we get closer to Auction and in the Auction Guide that will be available to download or purchase.