Tickets on Sale NOW

Royal Bash | Saturday, March 14 | Metropolitan Ballroom
5418 Wayzata Blvd., Golden Valley

Don’t miss this unforgettable evening in celebration and support of Hopkins Public Schools. Together, we can rally a love for learning and raise critical funds for our students and educators. The Royal Bash funds our Spark Grants for educators and our annual special project (see below).

SPECIAL STATEMENT

As we get ready for the Royal Bash, we want to acknowledge the difficulties we have been experiencing in our community and our state. HEF’s Hopkins Strong Relief Fund has been incredibly successful because of the generosity of this community. We are proud to be giving 100% of the funds raised to the ICA Food Shelf for emergency food along with rent and utilities support for children and families in the Hopkins school district.

While the Hopkins Strong Relief Fund remains open for further donations, HEF is also looking ahead to our Royal Bash on March 14. The Royal Bash is our biggest fundraiser of the year and it is critical for our ongoing support of Hopkins students, teachers, and staff as we rally the love for learning. We invite you to join us in this effort as we plan for today, tomorrow, and the future of our community.

Our gala fundraiser will feature a seated dinner, presentation, entertainment, games, and more. We will raise funds for our annual special project, Supporting College & Career Pathways (more info), and Spark Grants for Hopkins teachers. The dress code is festive cocktail attire, and the event is for guests 21+

Hopkins Staff Ticket $75
Individual Ticket $150
Friends of the Foundation Ticket $175
Table Package $1,350 (10 Tickets Included)
The table package allows you to purchase all ten seats for a full table at one time. Includes 10% discount. **Please note: you will need dinner selections for all of your guests when registering**

To request group table seating, contact Jacqui.Barnard@hopkinsschools.org or 952-988-5223 for a code, and we will do our best to accommodate.

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Evening Schedule

5:30 PM — Drinks, games, and silent auction
7:00 PM — Dinner, program, and live auction
9:15 PM — Music, dancing, and games

Jumpstart the excitement with our online silent auction! Can’t join in person? Online bidding opens March 9.

Photo: Alex Falconer

Donate to Silent auction

thank you to our sponsors

special project

faq

At the Event

YOUR EMCEE: Gene Ward Jr.

YOUR DJ: Munya aka TONEZ

Royal Bash Emcee Gene Ward Jr. is co-principal of Hopkins High School and a member of the Hopkins Education Foundation Board.

Gene joined the HEF board because he wanted to learn more about ways our school partners with our families and community members to ensure every scholar has a phenomenal educational experience within Hopkins Public Schools. “My life passion is to serve my community and ensure that every scholar is able to leave our schools with the tools needed to change our world."

FAQ

BLOG:

5 Ways to Make This Your Best Royal Bash Ever (updated from last year)
Light the Way at Royal Bash 2026: Three ways to participate if you go and three ways to help if you can’t

How can I purchase tickets? Tickets are available online at three different pricing levels. Tables seat up to 10. Tickets on sale Friday, January 16.

Hopkins Public Schools Staff Ticket: $75
Individual Ticket: $150
Friends of the Foundation Ticket: $175
Table Package $1,350 (10 Tickets Included)
The table package allows you to purchase all ten seats for a full table at one time. Includes 10% discount. **Please note: you will need dinner selections for all of your guests when registering**

Where will the gala be held?

The Royal Bash will be held at the Metropolitan Ballroom in Golden Valley (see map).
There’s plenty of on-site free parking.

What’s the timeline for the March 14 gala?

5:30 PM — Drinks, games, and silent auction
7:00 PM — Dinner, program, and live auction
9:15 PM — Music, dancing, and games

What is the dress code? Festive cocktail attire.

Is there an age requirement? Yes, you must be 21+ to attend.

What’s for dinner? Dinner is provided by D’Amico Catering.

Sautéed chicken, lemon potato puree, warm vegetable slaw, tarragon cream sauce - GF
Salmon, creme fraiche Yukon gold potato puree, herb pesto, shaved asparagus-arugula salad - GF
Chateau top sirloin, roasted zucchini, herbed potato salad, mustard cream sauce - GF
Vegan “crab” cakes, hearts of palm, chickpea, warm fingerling potato salad, arugula, chili oil, lemon dill aioli - GF, DF, Vegan

How can I ensure that I sit with my friends? Before you purchase tickets, contact Jacqui Barnard (jacqui.barnard@hopkinsschools.org, 952-988-5223) for a promo code to request group table seating, and we will try to accommodate you. You will then share that promo code with the other guests you want to sit with, and then when they buy their tickets, it will connect those orders with your seating request. Questions? Contact Jacqui. OR buy a table for 10 and save 10%.

How do I enter the $1,000 raffle? Tickets are on sale now. Purchase for $100/each from a board member or call our office at 952-988-4097 (cash or check per MN gambling rules). The raffle prize is $1,000. The winner will be drawn at the Royal Bash. You need not be present to win.

What is the special project this year? This year, we are raising funds to support college and career readiness across the District.

How can I support HEF and the special project if I can’t attend?

You can get a FREE Virtual Silent Auction Bidder ticket, which gets you entry to our online silent auction. Items will be updated regularly. Winners may pick up items at the Hopkins Education Foundation office in Eisenhower Community Center. The auction opens on March 9.
You can enter the raffle (details above).
You can donate directly.

How do I bid in the online auction? We strongly recommend that all attendees download the Givi app and login* after they purchase tickets (*remember the email you used to buy tickets). Royal Bash silent auction and day-of-event game purchases are both hosted on the app. The Qgiv desktop website for the auction is available for at-home bidding. The silent auction opens on March 9 and closes on March 14 at 7:45 p.m.

What else can I expect at the event?

A lively live auction filled with incredible experiences, trips, and more. Available to preview in February.
Great Gatherings: Curated for smaller groups of 40 people or less, these social gatherings are a great way to support HEF and enjoy time with friends, new and old. No bidding is necessary; pay a fixed price per ticket at the event. Any open spots will be available online after the event. Available to preview in February.
A direct appeal to donate to our special project and raise the $75,000 goal.
Games: Pay-to-play games like PLINKO, Heads or Tails, a putting contest, and more.

Who should I contact with my questions?

Event Qs: Jacqui Barnard, Event Coordinator - Jacqui.Barnard@hopkinsschools.org, 952-988-5223
Donation Qs: Jana Hoober, Foundation Manager - Jana.Hoober@hopkinsschools.org, 952-988-=4097
General Info, Sponsorship or Special Project Qs: Emily Wallace-Jackson, Executive Director - Emily.Wallace-Jackson@hopkinsschools.org, 952-988-4091
Media Inquiries: Ellie Siler, Marketing Coordinator - Ellie.Siler@hopkinsschools.org, 612-616-2149

2026 Special Project

The Hopkins Education Foundation has been committed to funding Career and Technical Education for many years, and we want to build on that success. This year’s special project, “Supporting College and Career Pathways,” will help all Hopkins students explore different careers and better understand who they are, what they are good at, and where they want to go after they graduate.

In our Elementary Schools
Students in 4th or 5th grade will explore careers and discover their passions with a fun, hands-on visit to a simulated town called “BizTown” where they are a citizen for a day and go to work at one of eighteen businesses. To prepare them, our teachers will teach 12 lessons about the economy, finances, and the world of work.

Middle Schools
Our middle schools will host a Career Day for 8th graders to connect with at least 30 professionals to learn about careers in a hands-on, engaging way. They will also better understand the skills and degrees that are required for different careers.

Hopkins High School
Hopkins High School is exploring a “career academies” model with the nonprofit, Ford Next Generation Learning (Ford NGL), which helps students understand their strengths and interests, connect learning to careers, and graduate with a clear sense of direction and purpose whether they are going to 4-year college, technical school, or straight to the workforce. Ford NGL has worked with 40+ high schools across the nation, with excellent academic outcomes.

Any funds raised for the special project that exceed our $75,000 goal will be used to support HEF's mission.