Marion County Father-Daughter Dance · February 5 & 6, 2027
Businesses and families donate items, services, and experiences, and they go to the highest bidder online. Bidding opens January 18 and closes February 1, 2027.
What it is
It runs online rather than in the room on the night, so you can bid whether or not you are coming to the dance. Bidding opens January 18, 2027 and closes February 1, 2027.
Bidding is not open yet. Lots go live on January 18. If you have something to donate, the donation guidelines below explain how, and donations are being collected now.
The prize list
The list below is the shape of it, not this year’s lots. Real packages are published when bidding opens.
Donated by a local restaurant
Hair, nails, or a full package
A bounce house or event equipment for a weekend
Limousine service on the night of the dance
Anything a local business does well, like detailing, lawn care or photography
These are examples of the kind of package businesses have offered, not committed lots. Nothing here is available to bid on.
For bidders
Steps marked below are still being finalised while we choose the auction software. Everything else is settled.
Bidder registration details will be posted here in January.
Every lot is numbered, photographed, and described, with the business that donated it credited.
Each bid raises the price by at least ten dollars. Bid as often as you like, on as many lots as you like.
Bidding closes on February 1, 2027. Whether the close is hard or extends on late bids depends on the platform.
Winning bidders are notified after the auction closes, and every item must be picked up by February 7, 2027. Payment details will be posted when bidding opens.
Donation guidelines
Thank you for supporting the Father-Daughter Dance through our online silent auction. Your generosity helps make the evening a success and directly supports the mission of Ambleside Ocala.
Auction donations are separate from event sponsorships. Businesses and individuals can take part in either one, or both. Auction donors are recognized on their own scale, with complimentary dance tickets and promotional benefits based on the Fair Market Value of the item or package they donate.
Fair Market Value is the price a customer would reasonably expect to pay for the item, service, certificate, or experience, whether from you or from another retailer. Please value every donation that way.
$300
Fair Market Value
$500
Fair Market Value
$1,000
Fair Market Value
$2,500+
Fair Market Value
Drop items off at the Ambleside Ocala campus with a note that includes:
Digital gift certificates, vouchers, and experience packages can be sent by email to FatherDaughterDanceOcala@gmail.com. Please include:
If you are donating a service, gift certificate, or experience, you can include fulfillment instructions and we will pass them on to the winning bidder.
Thank you. Your donation details have reached our team and someone will be in touch.
Something was missing. Please check every field and send it again.
Donations need to be confirmed by the end of December to be included when bidding opens on January 18.
Where it goes
The auction exists to do two things: keep ticket prices where families can reach them, and pay for the parts of the evening that make it worth dressing up for.
That means the room, the photographers, the dessert tables, the music, and the new touches we add each year. Nothing leaves the event.
Questions
January 18 to February 1, 2027. Every lot goes live on January 18, and winning bidders are notified after bidding closes on February 1.
No. The auction runs entirely online and is open to anyone. Plenty of bidders are not coming to the event at all.
Ten dollars. Every bid raises the price by at least that much.
All items must be picked up by February 7, 2027. For services, gift certificates, and experiences, the donor’s fulfillment instructions are passed on to you. Payment details will be posted when bidding opens.
Complimentary dance tickets and promotional recognition, based on the Fair Market Value of the donation: 2 tickets at $300, 4 tickets and social media recognition at $500, 6 tickets and social media recognition at $1,000, and 8 tickets with digital billboard and social media recognition at $2,500 and up.
At its Fair Market Value, which is the price a customer would reasonably expect to pay for the item, service, certificate, or experience, whether from you or from another retailer.
Donations should be confirmed by the end of December so every lot is listed when bidding opens on January 18. Earlier is better.
No, they are separate. Sponsorship has its own levels and recognition, and auction donors are recognized based on the Fair Market Value of what they donate. A business can do one, the other, or both.
Your donation helps create a memorable evening for fathers and daughters while supporting the mission of Ambleside Ocala. We sincerely appreciate your generosity and partnership in making this event a success.
FatherDaughterDanceOcala@gmail.com