EverWonder Children’s Museum has been busy planning its annual fundraiser.

The returning event this year will be held on Saturday, October 22, at Marygold’s on Main, 19 Main Street.

This year’s theme, “The Science of Mixology,” repeats after last year’s success. Marigold’s own mixologists will help build on that theme by providing delicious cocktails through their studied artform.

A VIP hour from 6 to 7 pm will provide an intimate lesson about the science behind making that perfect sweet or sour drink. VIP guests will also be able to enjoy some extra canapés while they create their new cocktails.

The main event takes place from 7 to 11 pm, where all guests will be able to enjoy top shelf cocktails (and mocktails), Marygold’s finest canapés, and a Good Old Days Pizza station, all while helping to raise funds for the museum through both a silent and live auction, plus a traditional paddle raise.

Tickets are $100 for the main event, $200 for VIP, and on sale at everwondermuseum.org/support.

Each ticket includes all food and drink for the evening.

Auction items include four Broadway tickets, Hog Wild BBQ catering worth $1,000, a professional sleep study, a unique Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo experience, three hours with a professional organizer, and multiple tickets to sporting and family events around the area.

The paddle raise will immediately follow the live auction, allowing museum supporters to donate directly towards the museum’s programming, exhibits, and special events.

Over the last year, EverWonder has spent time and money improving its hands-on play by adding 11 new exhibits. These include an Augmented Reality Sandbox & Alive Drawing Wall, EverBright, LEGO Wall, Ball Lifter, Ball Launcher, Gear Play, Classroom Projector, and Illusion Wall, in addition to new exhibits and picnic tables outside.

For more information about EverWonder Children’s Museum, event sponsorship opportunities, and membership options, visit everwondermuseum.org or contact EverWonder Executive Director Merredith Christos at 203-364-4009 or mchristos@everwondermuseum.org.

EverWonder Children’s Museum, a 501(c)(3) organization, was founded in January 2011 by a group of mothers who enjoyed taking their children to other childrens museums and who wanted to create a similar experience closer to home for everyone in the surrounding communities to enjoy.

For the first years of its life, the museum existed as a mobile entity without a physical location. The board of directors and volunteers brought science and art programming to the community through the local library and various community events in an effort to fulfill their mission and create awareness of the organization.

In April 2013, EverWonder Children’s Museum opened a physical location called The EverWonder Experience. This small museum space was packed with exciting hands-on exhibits and activities. The EverWonder Experience served more than 6,000 visitors.

Two years later, in April 2015, EverWonder Children’s Museum reopened in its current location at 31 Pecks Lane. This new larger space enables staff and volunteers to provide additional exhibits and activities as well as dedicated space for birthday parties and field trips.