IDS – Over the Rainbow Auction | Connecticut Fine Art Photographer

The Independent Day School, located in Middlefield CT held their annual auction this year on April 28st 2018 (all proceeds goes to the school). The Wizard of Oz themed auction was definitely a trip down the yellow brick road.  This beautifully put together event included amazing donations from local vendors and showcased the school’s wonderful community. Doors opened at 5pm to the whimsically decorated Galluzzo Theater where you checked your coats, grabbed your bidding and table numbers, and walked through ‘Kansas’ before starting your evening in Oz.  Guests were treated to some fabulous appetizers from Mercado Food Truck, an open bar, and dessert buffet during the silent auction to cap off the evening.  Before passing through the doors into another dimension, you couldn’t pass up the opportunity to put your name into the raffle for 2  tickets to Hamilton on Broadway.  As I made my way to the auction location I was in awe of the tiniest details as you walked through the room. By the time you exited the theater, you were ultimately taken away by the hanging tornado near the door that was inhaling your hot air balloon, seamlessly takes you down the yellow brick road before you crossed the gates of OZ, where your bidding wars begin.  The silent auctions had a wide variety of donated items that would please anyone.  From handmade items by the Beginners and Pre-K classes, local restaurant gift cards, signed sports memorabilia, Apple watches, Fitbits, and gift baskets full of books, to wine, tequila, Disney park passes, a private tour of the Control Tower at Bradley, timeshare rentals, and even a santa clause ( hint hint, holiday minis 😉  )! There were over hundreds of generous donations, and over 2000 bids placed.

Once the silent auction closed at 7pm, and you either rejoiced or cried over what you had won and lost, everyone headed back to the Galluzzo Theater for a delicious catered dinner by Mercado – seriously though, if you haven’t had a chance to stalk the whereabouts of their food truck, do so. This food is AMAZING. 

Once dinner was over, the live auction commenced. Knowing how cut throat ( but all in fun) this part was last year, I was fully prepared for the the cream-of-the-crop items reserved for the live auction; and man, were there bidding wars. A Janet Sission birthday party, BBQ with Jim Rumberger, Head of School for the Day, Assistant to the Assistant Head of School ( where are my Office fans?!), Front row seats to the 2018 Graduation, and the most sought after item… the front circle parking spaces.  Now, when I say most sought after item, I’m not kidding. I’m pretty sure that that thing is lined with gold. 

After a long fun night of being swept away and fighting some of the temptations of the great and powerful Oz , my feet killed (I vaguely remember complaining of the same issue last year), we walked away with some pretty special silent auction items, had an incredible experience, met some more, new fabulous people, and was reminded on why we LOVE the IDS community as much as we do.  Of course, one question remains; “How will they ever top this next year…”

Shauna is a fine art natural light photographer based out of Connecticut. To book a session contact Shauna at:

shauna@shaunadaiphotography.com | 860-268-2588 | www.shaunadaiphotography.com