The Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock team will be up early to hit the road, but the winner of one of a major auction items at this years Red Serge Gala can count on getting plenty of rest.
The 2014 Tour de Rock team will be in Nanaimo in time for this year's Red Surge Gala, a semi-formal evening of entertainment, silent and live auctions, in support of Tour de Rock at the Coast Bastion Inn Sunday (Sept. 28).
"This year we probably have by far the biggest selection of silent and live auction items," said Cpl. Norm Smith, head of Nanaimo RCMP's Traffic Services and gala organizer.
There are more than 50 items, including a complete bedroom suite donated by Dodd's Furniture. A raffle will give away a $1,000 travel voucher from Marlin Travel.
The ball cap sale is back again this year. Each participant gets an official Tour de Rock baseball cap, but only one hat holds a grand prize weekend getaway for two to Port Hardy, including accommodations, car rental, gas card and a $250 prepaid VISA card.
Be prepared for any emergency by wining the SWAT Team Member for a day auction. Two of the prizes are up for grabs on gala night offering two winners the chance to spend a day with the RCMP's Vancouver Island Emergency Response Team.
Those who miss out on that prize can bid on the Wall of Wine, sponsored, by Windley Contracting.
"There will be members in red serge there helping host the event and assisting guests to their seats," Smith said.
Guests will also be seated with Tour de Rock 2014 team riders.
Tickets, $60 each, are available at the Country Club Centre Lotto Booth, the Inn on Long Lake and Nanaimo's Coast Capital Savings Credit Union branches.
Doors open at 4:30 p.m. with a 45-minute concert by Daragh Fitzgerald starting at 5 p.m. and dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m.
Monday (Sept. 29) the team will meet children and families at Maffeo Sutton Park.
The event, being held for the first time in the park, runs 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and includes a hot dog barbecue sponsored by the Porsche Club of America, plus face painting, a bouncy castle, music, performances by Vibe Dance Studio and a display of Porsches and police vehicles. This is a great opportunity for children and families to support the battle against childhood cancer and meet and mingle with this year's Tour de Rock riders.