Break out the funny money and pick that lucky racehorse, the second annual Island Derby returns to Marco Island on Oct. 13.

The adult fundraiser to benefit Tommie Barfield Elementary students, was a sellout last year, raising nearly $17,000 to benefit area youngsters. The upscale, “no kids allowed” black tie event brings people from the community together for horse racing, hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction, adult beverages and luxury prizes.

Marco Island resident Dave Flowers says he reserved tickets last year mainly because he heard it was going to be a good time. When the night was through, he walked away without any winnings at all. But that didn’t make a bit of difference. According to Flowers, the night was still “awesome!”

“I think the main reason a lot of people went last year is because it was held at one of the nicest homes on the island. It was a big party! And it was a black tie event, so everyone was dressed really nice. People had on their derby hats,” Flowers remembers with a laugh. “I bought tickets for every race. I didn’t win ... but I tried! It didn’t matter though. There was really good food, cocktails, a lot of people. Even valet parking. I’ve been to a lot of parties in my life. This was one of the nicest parties I’ve been to on the island.”

The “Night at the Races” theme happened last year by accident. After about a decade of collecting items from local businesses for an annual “silent auction” fundraiser, members of the TBE Parent Teacher Organization realized that it was time to make a change. Business were becoming tired of donating items year after year, with the same people seemingly pitching in funds each time. In 2006, a member of the PTO stumbled across an idea on the Internet. A company, specializing in fundraising events, would send pre-recorded horse racing tapes, “funny money” and an entire plan of action for a fun-filled, upscale evening for adults. Heidi Moss, PTO vice president at TBE, says the idea came at a perfect time, since interest in the silent auction was fading.

“We can only do two fundraisers each year, where the kids are involved. So we do Innisbrook, where the kids sell wrapping paper and a walkathon, where they ask for pledges. Before, when we did the silent auction, it was mostly people from the school who came. Island Derby brings a lot of the community out as well,” Moss explains.

This year’s event will take place at the beautiful Henell estate, on Mimosa Court, and the race for tickets has already begun. Those planning to spend a “Night at the Races” should reserve their spot, as space is limited. TBE PTO is busy taking care of last minute details, to ensure that this year’s derby will be even better than the last.

“Last year we had a huge flat screen out in the lanai area. People loved it, they had a lot of fun, but it was too hot being outside without air conditioning. So this year, we’re going to have flat screened TV’s inside the house, in different rooms,” explains Moss.

“We also had some trouble where everybody couldn’t hear the sound system. It didn’t travel around the whole place. That was the most difficult thing. That’s what we’re going to work on this year, to polish that up,” Moss confirms.

Moneys collected from this year’s Island Derby will be used in various ways to benefit TBE students. The funds will cover an annual function known as “Authors and Artists,” where kids get the opportunity to learn from published professionals how to write and illustrate a book. Students in every grade will also have the opportunity to go on educational field trips and participate in classroom projects. Magazines and weekly readers will be provided to classrooms and allocations for teachers will ensure that kids have any extra supplies they might need. Around $10,000 each year is donated to the school library.

“Without fundraisers, the kids would probably not be able to take field trips at all,” explains Moss. “A lot of these kids don’t normally get to go. TBE takes them to museums, shows. They went to see the princesses on ice one year, the Philharmonic one year. They go to really nice places. It’s educational and it gives them a break from working so hard all year round. We raise quite a bit of money throughout the year. And we give a lot of it back,” explains Moss. “Island Derby is a fun event but a lot is involved. We need all the help we can get!”

Tickets are now for sale. For more information, call 377-8500 today.

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