An evening of excitement, style and community spirit is coming to town.

On Saturday, October 11, Newtown Community Center (NCC) will host its first-ever Designer Bag Bingo, a night of games, prizes and giving back. Proceeds will benefit the Friends of the Newtown Community Center, a nonprofit that funds scholarships and programs for children, families and seniors.

Organizers promise more than just a night of bingo. The special event will also be a chance to enjoy a chic evening out with friends, play for extraordinary prizes, and support a cause that strengthens Newtown. With tickets already selling fast, anticipation is high.

NCC Director Matt Ariniello said the event “brings together the best of community and celebration.

“Not only will guests enjoy a memorable night, but every dollar raised supports the Friends’ mission of making the center a welcoming space for all,” Ariniello added.

Tickets are $50 in advance and $65 at the door, and include ten games, a dauber and two entries for door prizes. With those tickets, guests will play for handbags valued between $300 and $990 from designers including Dooney & Bourke, Stella McCartney, Tory Burch, Jimmy Choo, Christian Louboutin and Frances Valentine. Extra cards will be available for $7.

Reserved seating is also available, with a table for six priced at $375 and a table for eight at $500. In addition to the above, each guest at a reserved table will also receive a mini bottle of Prosecco.

For those seeking a more exclusive experience, the VIP Party Room offers seating for 14 in a private space located across from the main bingo room. Guests will enjoy all the excitement on their own large screen while relaxing at a banquet table complete with mini bottles of Prosecco, a crudités and charcuterie board, and the attention of a dedicated host. The package is available for $1,000.

The excitement extends well beyond the main games. Four additional high-end designer handbags, each valued between $1,700 and $3,500, will be offered through special raffles and extra bingo games. Among them is a Tod’s handbag valued at $2,645, donated by the brand’s Madison Avenue store, along with other luxury pieces including a bag donated by Newtown resident and local realtor Joan Alexander. These exclusive prizes give guests even more chances to leave with a designer treasure.

The evening will also feature a $500 scratch-off raffle sponsored by Rader & Summa Inc, a wine pool with bottles from area vineyards and liquor stores, and a brewery pool highlighting Connecticut craft beers.

Food and beverages will round out the night. The menu includes sliders, flatbreads, salads, wings from Cover Two, spinach and mushrooms from LongHorn Steakhouse, and desserts from Martha’s Gourmet Cookies and Cupcakes.

The full preorder menu and link to order is available through the event’s Facebook page; search for Designer Bag Bingo 2025.

Guests are strongly encouraged to preorder food online in advance to receive discounts and to ensure access to their preferred menu items, as quantities will be limited on the night of the event.

Wine, beer and margaritas from Mexcla Cocina will be available for purchase.

Community support for the event has been strong, with contributions from local restaurants, shops, and businesses, along with larger regional partners. A complete sponsor list is available on the Newtown Community Center website and in the Designer Bag Bingo 2025 Facebook group.

Tickets are also available through the Facebook Event page, with a link to Zeffy. Readers are encouraged to secure their seats soon for a night where every card played helps build a stronger, more connected community.