If you walk into the Sedona Performing Arts Center on Saturday, Feb. 7, baskets for a trip to the Grand Canyon and a spa and picnic for two are lined up against the wall.

Melissa Cristallo Schrader, who’s organized the Booster Club’s Casino Night since it began, said these will be the raffle prizes for the Scorpion Booster Club’s Casino Night.

“What’s so unique about that [picnic prize] is that they can set it up wherever,” Booster Club President Matt Corney said. “So, it’s kind of like, ‘hey, I want to have the picnic here.’ And they’ll come and set up this really nice picnic for two. … Seems like if there’s any romantics out there, that’s a great one for you.”

Both of the businesses involved in that prize are based in Cottonwood.

“That’s funny that you say that, because when they first had sent us the flyer, I immediately thought of my daughter,” Schrader said. “Oh, my God, what a fabulous thing to do with my daughter.”

The other way to leave with prizes is the silent auction, which includes nearly 100 items to bid on. Food, dessert and alcoholic beverages including wine and beer will be served, donated by a local winery and brewery.

“The beer and wine, of course, is an additional cost, but it’s a small cost compared to the rest.” Schrader said.

She said there are four servers, and most are currently attending Northern Arizona University, who all went through SOCSD.

“That just happens to be where my children went, so that’s how I’m able to pull them back to help us,” she said.

During the Sedona-Oak Creek School District Governing Board meeting on Jan. 13, Superintendent Tom Swaninger, Ph.D., said a community member dropped off a box with a bunch of sports memorabilia to be auctioned off at the fundraiser.

“John Elway helmet signed, Earl Campbell,” Swaninger said. “If you guys all remember Earl Campbell, people trying to tackle him, ripping his jersey off, just an unstoppable running back, Brooks Robinson, Ernie Banks. That’s the one … I don’t make enough money to bid on this. But if I was going to bid on one, it would be Ernie Banks.”

Other auction items include things like four new tires and alignment.

The titular event will include all the typical games, like blackjack, poker, roulette and craps.

The tickets, “$50 per person will get you $500 worth of chips, plus the food, plus the entertainment, plus a raffle ticket this year, which is something new,” Schrader said.

Those wanting to game more can get an extra 500 chips for $20.

“If you’re not a gambler, you can just take your initial $500 chip and … immediately get a raffle ticket and just enjoy the silent auction,” Corney said.

Another thing they can enjoy, Schrader said, is the live music. The event goes from 6 to 10 p.m., and for the first half hour or so, four advanced orchestra students and their teacher, Cody McKesson, will play music in the main area.

Once they’re done, music will be taken over by local classical guitarist Alex Ogburn.

“After the holidays, right before the film festival, there’s this lull,” Schrader said. “So here’s an event, a fun thing to do on a Saturday.”

She said many groups come together to help organize the event. One is interact club students helping with set up and take down for the tables and games before and after Casino Night.

National Honor Society students will also be offering free babysitting for kids 3 and older in the high school gym during the event with an adult supervisor, for anyone who might need it for the night.

“Pizza and water will be provided, however we are not able to accommodate dietary restrictions,” the club’s website states. “Please pack snacks or a meal for your child if needed.”

Tickets can be bought on the booster club’s website at scorpionboosterclub.com/event-details/casino-night-2026.