Event Planning Photos  »  Bucky on Parade Finale Party

It was the first time and also the last time this event would ever be held… it was literally a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. So it had to be over-the-top amazing!

Bucky on Parade was a public art exhibit that marked the first – and only – time the University of Wisconsin-Madison allowed its beloved mascot, Bucky Badger, to be recreated by area artists. That meant the Finale Party, in which many of the life-sized, creatively designed mascots were auctioned off, had to be so good, its impression would last a lifetime!

Chosen from a crowd of ambitious event companies, UE carefully designed and carried out the event, which transformed the University of Wisconsin's Kohl Center into a mesmerizing venue for 900 partygoers. UE drew on the state’s most talented vendors to amaze the crowd by creating a spirited, stunning space. The dress code was simple – red anything! Heavy doses of the trademark hue were used in custom lighting that saturated the room as well as in the linens and table arrangements. A heavy haze was introduced to showcase the dramatic beams of light that sliced through the event to light up the art pieces. Not a single house light was used!

Anyone who has seen Bucky race on the field or sway to “Varsity” knows this could never be a sedate sit-down dinner event! Instead, guests were treated to stations of heavy appetizers that kept them moving and mingling amid the spectacular works of art.

Each Bucky statue up for bid was unveiled by perfectly choreographed lighting with synchronized sound effects that commanded guests’ attention. Through a silent and live auction, more than $850,000 was raised for local charities.

With so many moving pieces, UE’s extensive expertise – along with their relationships with preferred partners – allowed them to plan the event over months of detailed discussions and execute it flawlessly. What a perfect way to send off the Bucky statues to their new homes while supporting organizations in the community!

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