THUNDER BAY -- Ten of Thunder Bay’s most eligible bachelors will be auctioned off next month in an effort to help raise money for the regional hospital’s Cancer Care Program.
The city’s finest will be gathering for a girls night out to enjoy a four-course dinner at the 19th annual Bachelors of Hope charity auction, which will be held at the Valhalla Inn on Friday, April 7.
Volunteer co-ordinator Laurie Clarke said this year’s bachelors are an energetic crew.
“They are half way through their dance lessons and they’ve really caught on well, which is always such a relief,” Clarke said.
“The guys this year are very enthusiastic, they are very into it and they are not shy, which is a bonus.”
Each bachelor is associated with a special prize package including a Rose Valley Lodge and Restaurant Getaway, a restaurant package, a travel package for two, a Fort William package and a Port Arthur package.
Clarke said organizers are putting some new themes together that haven’t been done before.
“It’s been pretty standard, we’ve had a lunch, a dinner and an overnight stay, so we are readjusting the packages a little bit and putting the excitement back into the auction after almost 19 years,” she said.
This night is all for the women. When they arrive they'll be personally escorted to their table by one of the ushers and handed a free glass of champagne.
They are waited hand and foot with volunteer ushers who will come to each table and make sure there are always drinks available. The ladies trade their drink tickets to avoid the inconveniences of standing in a line.
Clarke said organizers in 2017 are trying to make things a little different from previous years and take the auction up a notch.
“We also have some warm-up packages, so there’s no guy associated to them and they range in value anywhere between $250 and $1,000,” she said.
“It gives those ladies who don’t have the funds to by the big packages the opportunity to go home with something.”
The ladies will have a chance to take home a one-piece diamond jewelry item during the Bling Blitz, which happens every year. Over the course of 15 minutes ushers will sell 350 boxes, only one of which contains the diamond.
“We have got some pretty incredible jewelry items for those who don’t win the diamond.”
The night doesn’t end there. After the auction two buses will be taking attendees to Five Forks restaurant for the after-party and later the buses will transport them back to the Valhalla.
There are still 10 tables available and those interested still have the opportunity to pledge to support their favourite bachelor.
