| Copyright (c) 2009 Red Apple Auctions LLC | | | | anyone "thrown.") |
| Clients often ask me for entertainment ideas they can | | | | Because this auction featured a western theme, |
| incorporate into their event, specifically during the silent | | | | guests were encouraged to dress the part. Most |
| auction portion of the evening. They usually want the | | | | attendees were wearing jeans or casual pants. A |
| activity to be tied into the theme of the gala, but they | | | | handful of the women were in long skirts. This type of |
| do not want to include an activity which might detract | | | | dress code was conducive to the activity of bull-riding. |
| from their primary goal of raising money. They want to | | | | Men favored the activity over women, although I did |
| know what works well for other groups. | | | | see at least one woman try her skill. |
| One unique activity I saw at a western-themed | | | | The fundraiser was held in the school's gymnasium. |
| fundraising auction was a mechanical bull. The bull ride | | | | The bull was set-up on a center-side, near the |
| added a lively ambiance to the night! | | | | bleachers. |
| The activity had been promoted prior to the auction so | | | | Although guests did momentarily stop shopping in the |
| guests knew that the bull ride would be available onsite. | | | | silent auction to watch the riders, the bull wasn't a |
| Even so, guests were wary! Initially, many guests just | | | | noticeable distraction to the silent auction itself. Most |
| eyed the bull and watched others give it a shot. When | | | | people would watch one or two guests ride before |
| they saw that no one was getting injured, they | | | | drifting back to the silent auction. |
| warmed to the idea and entered the ring to give it a | | | | During the live auction, we asked guests to sit in the |
| try. | | | | bleachers. The inflated ring was deflated so guests |
| The bull was positioned in the middle of an inflatable | | | | could walk over the collapsed ring and situate |
| ring. The ring resembled an inflatable swimming pool | | | | themselves on the bleachers. |
| often used by small children. When the guest was | | | | If you are conducting a cowboy or western-themed |
| thrown off the bull (some guests hit the ground sooner | | | | event and will be encouraging guests to wear casual |
| than others), he or she had a "safe" landing on the | | | | clothing, consider talking to an entertainment company |
| inflatable plastic. | | | | about renting a mechanical bull. It was a popular choice |
| (To be honest, most guests slid off the bull. I didn't see | | | | with the crowd. |