VANCOUVER, BC — The Bacchanalia Gala Dinner + Auction kicked off the 40th Vancouver International Wine Festival on February 24 at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver with a spectacular evening of wine and food, topped by a thrilling live auction. Live and silent auctions raised $205,000, while the sold-out raffle for two Delta One International Business Class tickets, donated by Delta Air Lines, raised an additional $20,000. Net proceeds of this annual fundraiser benefit charitable partner Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival.
“The Gala was absolutely marvelous and all of us at Bard say a heartfelt thank you to those who attended, and the team that created it,” said Christopher Gaze, artistic director of Bard on the Beach. “The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver provided a truly dramatic and elegant backdrop. The wonderful chair of the Gala, Stephanie Hungerford, along with MC Chris Gailus of Global BC, made sure the night was great fun. It was everything a successful Gala should be – full of laughter, excitement, superb wines and an exquisite gourmet menu. The funds raised will do remarkable things for our Bard Education programs and I’m so thrilled that this generous support will help us reach thousands of young people across British Columbia.”
The sold-out gala began with a sparkling Cava reception and an opportunity to bid on a fantastic range of wines in the One Bid auction. Following the reception, guests savoured nine spectacular wines paired with five inventive courses created by the Fairmont’s executive chef, Cameron Ballendine, that took guests on a culinary journey to the Iberian Peninsula.
Throughout dinner, guests were able to place their bids using electronic tablets on silent auction lots of unique and rare wines, while Master of Ceremonies Chris Gailus kept the evening flowing. During the dinner, Jana Maclagan, past Gala chair, hosted the exciting Live Auction, which featured once-in-a-lifetime wine lots and spectacular packages.
Net proceeds from the 2018 festival, contributed to Bard on the Beach, will be announced at VIWF’s fiscal year-end and in conjunction with the opening of the Bard on the Beach season in June. The 2019 Bacchanalia Gala is scheduled for Saturday, February 23, 2019.
