OCTOBER NIGHT OUT

October 8, 2026 from 6pm – 8pm at BKO Distillery

Highland Foundation’s October Night Out Offers Exclusive Distillery Experience While Supporting Great Gifts Dinner

By Theresa Wright, Executive Director of The Highland Foundation for Educational Excellence

The Highland Foundation for Educational Excellence will continue its fall fundraising season with a special October Night Out: Great Gifts Preview Party at BKO Distillery on Thursday, October 8, from 6-8 p.m. This special evening will give guests an exclusive, after-hours, behind-the-scenes distillery experience while building excitement for the Foundation’s 22nd annual Great Gifts Dinner Benefit, Galaxy Royale.

General admission is $25 per person, but anyone providing an auction item valued at $25 or more will receive complimentary admission to the event. Auction items can include gift cards, themed baskets, experiences, merchandise, services, or other items that can be featured in the Great Gifts silent and live auctions.

The evening will offer guests a unique opportunity to experience BKO Distillery after hours, while enjoying specialty drink samples, hors d’oeuvres, raffles, and great company. 

One highlight of the evening will give guests a direct role in this year’s Great Gifts celebration. BKO will create four specialty drinks for guests to taste-test, help name, and vote on, with the winning selections becoming the signature drinks featured at Galaxy Royale on November 14. 

Hors d’oeuvres for October Night Out will be provided by the Medina-based Finest Cravings Catering, whose Chef Cheyenne competed on Season 21 of  “Hell’s Kitchen.”

October Night Out is designed to both celebrate the generosity of Great Gifts auction donors and to give others in the community a fun and easy way to become part of the Foundation’s largest annual fundraising event.

“Great Gifts simply would not be possible without the generosity of the businesses, families, and community members who donate the items and experiences that make our auctions so successful,” said Highland Foundation volunteer Beena Persuad. “October Night Out gives us an opportunity to thank those donors, welcome new supporters, and have a little fun together as we build excitement for Galaxy Royale.”

Proceeds from Great Gifts support the Highland Foundation’s work throughout the year, including innovative classroom grants, student scholarships, and educational enrichment opportunities that provide Highland students with experiences above and beyond what public funding alone can provide.

For additional information about October Night Out, providing an auction item, or attending the Great Gifts Dinner, visit highlandfoundation.org or contact events@highlandfoundation.org.