Piccadilly event seeks to raise $15,000 for downtown beautification

Event attendees raise their paddles as bidding begins for one of several items during the Piccadilly auction portion of the Downtown Jefferson City Piccadilly in White fundraiser on Aug. 2, 2014.
Event attendees raise their paddles as bidding begins for one of several items during the Piccadilly auction portion of the Downtown Jefferson City Piccadilly in White fundraiser on Aug. 2, 2014.

Roughly 300 people gathered in the 100 block of East High Street in downtown Jefferson City on Saturday evening, with nearly all dressed in white.

The Downtown Association hosted its first Piccadilly in White celebration Saturday, giving a new twist to the yearly fundraiser. Sarah Alsager, vice president of the Downtown Association, said in the past, the annual fundraiser has often been an event at a nearby venue, like the Miller Performing Arts Center, but this year they wanted to embrace what the association is truly about - downtown.

"We wanted to bring it back to the heart of downtown," Alsager said. "We decided to really come back to this."

Alsager said they got the idea for the event from seeing other downtown associations host similar, and very successful, piccadilly events. Work began on the event in February and Alsager said all the hard work was worth it as she looked down High Street on Saturday night.

Alsager said the majority of downtown businesses participated in one way or another, from sponsorships to donating auction items or food for guests.

The piccadilly itself, Alsager said, is based off a London street and includes a unique type of auction that she described as being part auction and part raffle. Items in a piccadilly auction are set at no more than $5. When an item comes up that someone wants to bid on, they put the designated amount of money in a bowl set on each table. Announcers, set on a stage near the intersection of East High Street and Madison Street, then draw a number and whoever's number it is then wins the item, if they bid on it. If they did not, a new number is called.

Auction items included gift cards to various downtown stores, an ice skating party, an historic downtown print, Kansas City Chiefs tickets and an aerial tour of Jefferson City. Alsager said the association hoped to raise $15,000 on Saturday, more than they have in the past. The money helps the association pay for downtown beautification efforts and Christmas lights.

Alsager said the piccadilly style allows for more people to take part in the auction, as they won't be priced out if the bidding gets too high.

"We feel like this is very inclusive," Alsager said.

Sarah Hoeller and Ashley Pringer said they heard about the Piccadilly in White event through Facebook and thought it would be a fun way to spend the evening while supporting the downtown. Both were looking forward to the auction, though Hoeller said she chose the "all-in option," which means she was already locked in to bidding on every item through the night. Hoeller said that way, she just might get something good.

"Cross my fingers," Hoeller said.

Hoeller and Pringer said they loved the white theme and dinner in the street, calling it fun and summery.

The event included awards to individuals and businesses for their work in the downtown. The Downtown Volunteer of the Year award was given to Chuck Walker, who was credited with strengthening the relationship between the Downtown Association and the Jefferson City Police Department.

The Downtown Business of the Year award was given to River City Florist, owned by Mike Moscato, which was recognized as always being able to be counted on to participate in any downtown event or promotion.

The Sam B. Cook award, which is presented to an outstanding individual or business outside of the Downtown Association, was given to Steve Duncan with WAVCO Construction. Duncan was credited with working on 12 different downtown properties in the past two years.