EverWonder Children’s Museum has been busy planning its annual fundraiser, to be held on Friday, November 15, at Rock Ridge Country Club, 214 Sugar Street (Route 302). This year’s theme, “The Science of Beer,” draws upon the recent increase in local breweries.

Breweries committed currently include NewSylum, Nod Hill, Reverie, Sam Adams (Boston), and Veracious.

A VIP happy hour from 6 to 7 pm will provide an extended tasting period and allow for intimate discussions with several local brewmasters about the science behind their brewing.

The main event will then take place from 7 to 10 pm, when all guests will be able to sample beers from each brewery, enjoy great food, hear live music by the Bromigos, and help raise funds for the museum through a live auction and paddle raise.

Tickets are $70 or $100 VIP and are on sale at everwonderscienceofbeer2019.eventbrite.com. Each ticket includes complimentary brewery samples and food; a full cash bar will also be available throughout the event.

Auction items include a private tour (for up to 20 adults) of the Sam Adams Brewery, a moms’ day out package including three hours of childcare at the museum paired with a slew of pampering activities, and a large golf package including rounds for four at several of the area’s top courses.

The paddle raise will immediately follow the live auction, allowing museum supporters to donate directly towards the matching grant received earlier this year.

EverWonder has spent the past few months gathering donations, sponsorships, and writing grants to meet a challenge grant of $100,000 from the Jeniam Foundation. Under the challenge grant, Jeniam will match any new or expanded charitable giving, up to $100,000, for gifts and/or pledges received on or before January 31, 2020.

So far, the museum has raised $100,000 total, with $34,000 matched under the grant. EverWonder will use Jeniam’s generous grant for general operating expenses; however, any donor or organization that wishes to support a specific exhibit, program, or item can do so. Direct sponsorship opportunities remain available.

In the last 12 months, EverWonder has also added four new exhibits — “BEAM Room,” “Vet Lab,” “Busy Wall,” and the art mural “Main St, Newtown” — with three more on the verge of installation. The museum is seeking sponsorships for any of these exhibits, as well as a scholarship program for Title 1 schools.

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 children’s 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, EverWonder Children’s 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.

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.

For more information about EverWonder Children’s Museum, visit everwondermuseum.org or contact Merredith Christos at 203-364-4009 or mchristos@everwondermuseum.org.