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?

• Save the Date -- Saturday, March 7, 2026

• Buy a Sponsor package or a reserved seating package, individual ticket, or virtual ticket. 

• When the silent auction opens, use the Handbid mobile bidding app to bid on things like Auction Parties, teacher and staff experiences and lunches, and Lily B. perks.

• On Auction night, party! Bid! Have fun!

• During the next year, enjoy the Auction Parties, Lily B. perks, and other items you purchased at Auction!

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.!

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 to ticket-holders who attend the Auction in person as well as by virtual ticket-holders. 

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?

Neon Rodeo! Get ready to glow, y’all! The 2026 Lily B. Clayton Auction theme is Neon Rodeo (think Dolly at a disco....boots, bling and neon)! 

Do I have to wear a wild outfit?

No. Many people do, and fun outfits are encouraged. 

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!

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 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! You must be present at Auction to play this game.

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 2026 Auction Chair, Shelby Ryon, 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.