Race nights can earn a good bit of money for charities and schools, or provide a fun time for corporate employees, but you will have more participation if they are creative and if guests are having a good time.
Race Night Ideas
First, you have to set the mood. Yes, the racing videos, race night information sheets and betting slips are available. However, the race night experience can be so much more and it is up to you to set the mood in order to maximise funds. To set the mood, bring in green plants like small potted trees and blooming shrubs and flowers to create an outside racing atmosphere. Perhaps your decor can even include artificial grass or white fencing for the ultimate race look. Make sure seating areas are nicely decorated as well with elegant cloths and floral centrepieces.
Hiring a master of ceremonies will not only increase the amount of funds raised, but will also create a delightful experience for your guests. A master of ceremonies can encourage people to bet on the races, participate in activities throughout the night and, most importantly, spend money on your charity.
Food is key to any party and it’s important to get the right combination for race nights. Small hors d’oeuvres and older dishes like Welsh Rarebit will do nicely. Be sure to include a large, impressive fruit and cheese display.
You will do well to have a bar. It lightens the mood and makes people happier. Happier people spend more money for charity.
Be sure to include other activities for your guests to enjoy in between races. Some organisers have silent auctions of donated items that people can bid on throughout the evening. The items are awarded before the last race. Such a move would also mean more money for your charity. Others have tombola’s between races. Another creative suggestion is to have a hat or racing costume contest. Ladies are known for wearing hats to races and this is a perfect opportunity for them to show them off. A costume contest allows for some silliness in the evening, which also improves everyone’s night out.
Door prizes are also a good idea. In most instances, the items given away are donated by sponsors. Have the master of ceremonies give away a few items throughout the night in between the races.
Some of the better race nights include raffles and horse auctions. Raffles can include anything, but some include horses in the night’s races. Those buying raffle tickets are put into a pot and eight are drawn out and awarded a horse in the next race. The owner of the winning horse gets a special prize.
In the horse auction, horses in one or two races go up for auction with your organisation deducting a percentage of the sales funds. The race is then played and the winning owner takes the balance of the money in the pot.
It’s important to give prizes to all race winners. That can be cash, but can also be other things such as donated prizes from sponsors, a drink, or a bottle of champagne. Be creative with your prizes to create a fun, family atmosphere.
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