NVFS Road to Independence Gala
Everything you need to know about the 2023 Event
We look forward to seeing you Friday, May 5th, at the NVFS Road to Independence Gala!
Early check-in and silent auction preview open at 5:45 p.m. with the cocktail reception beginning at 6 p.m., followed by dinner and program at 7:20 p.m. Our program will conclude at 9 p.m. and the event will end at 9:30 p.m.
We ask that if you are feeling sick or experiencing any COVID symptoms, please stay home.
Location & Directions
Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts
1551 Trap Road, Vienna, VA 22182
Event Location at Wolf Trap
Our event will be held in two of Wolf Trap’s outdoor pavilions, the Associates Deck and Ovations Pavilion (formerly Ovations Restaurant). Please be sure to enter “Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts” or “Ovations Restaurant” into your GPS. Entering the street address alone will direct you to neighborhoods surrounding the Park.
Parking
Complimentary self-parking will be located in the East Parking Lot below the Pavilions. Event signage and parking attendants will direct you on-site. From the parking area, it is a .2 mile uphill walk to the event check-in stations. Both the parking lot and walking path are paved. There will be golf carts available to provide transport for anyone who would like it. If you have accessibility requirements, please be sure to share those with Sarah Crosley in advance.
Attire
Casual chic (also called dressy casual or smart casual) attire is suggested. This is a combination of relaxed and refined pieces — think sun- or shirt- dresses, blouses, dress shirts, button-downs, dress pants or skirts, dark jeans, and clean shoes. We suggest that you wear shoes you are comfortable walking in and can (possibly) get wet. In addition to the walk from the parking area (see parking section above), there is a shorter walk between the cocktail reception and dinner pavilions.
Food Donations
Guests are welcome to bring donations of food for the NVFS Hunger Resource Center (HRC). More than 1,000 people on average receive food from the HRC each month. Emergency SNAP benefits ended in March 2023 and with the rising cost of food, we expect to see more families turn to NVFS for help in accessing food. View the HRC’s most needed food items and consider bringing a food donation to the Gala.
What to Expect
When you arrive, your first stop will be at our food donation area. You’ll then make your way up the hill to the check-in table, where you’ll receive your printed bidder number for the silent auction and paddle raise and your table assignment for dinner. There are no paper tickets to bring or redeem.
What to Bring
A fully charged smartphone! You’ll be using your smartphone to place silent auction bids and buy raffle tickets. Outlets and cords will be available for charging as needed. If you do not own a smartphone or would prefer to attend without, there will be a bidding station available.
Bidding Starts Monday, May 1st!
On Monday, May 1st, you’ll receive an email and/or text with your bidder number and the link to the mobile bidding site. If you do not receive an email about bidding on Monday morning, you may wish to check your spam folder. You do not need to download an app; simply follow the link in your email or text to navigate to the mobile bidding website.
Questions?
If you have any questions regarding the Gala, please contact Sarah Crosley at 571.748.2502 or scrosley@nvfs.org.
Spread Community Support and the Fun!
Share with your friends, family, and networks that you’re going to #NVFSGala to take action in building a stronger community. Download and share our graphic on your social media.
We look forward to seeing you on Friday, May 5th!