Center on Halsted Hosting Red Carpet Academy Awards Event

Center on Halsted welcomes donors, patrons and supporters to enjoy the 2013 Academy Awards presentation in a fun and festive atmosphere at Park West on Sunday.

Doors open at 6 p.m. for the red carpet arrival, courtesy of Mini of Chicago, with the telecast of the Oscars beginning at 7 p.m. This extravagant event is an annual celebration and benefit for Center on Halsted and the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people of Chicagoland.

Last year’s event sold out with more than 400 participants and raised more than $70,000 to support the programs and services at Center on Halsted. Tickets range from $50 to $125, with each ticket including cocktail service, reserved seating, buffet dinner, silent auction and raffle drawing, and a chance to win a Predict-the-Winner contest.

"The silent auction is always a highlight, and this year there will be even more buzz around the auction items which include hot vacation packages, bar and restaurant certificates, theater and sports tickets, gym memberships and much, much more," the center announced in a statement. "The auction items will be open to the public, so even if you are unable to attend the event, you can still bid on these items using your computer or cell phone."

A link to the silent auction will be provided the day of the Oscars Party, so be sure to check the center's website and follow them on Twitter @CenteronHalsted for live updates from the event and theauction items.

Participants can win a cash prize by purchasing and completing a ballot for the Predict-the-Winner contest. Ballots will be available at the event for $10 at registration and for the general public at centeronhalsted.org. The person with the most correct Oscars picks will split the winnings with Center on Halsted.

The 2013 Oscars Watch Party is co-chaired by Séamas O’Driscoll, Connie Pierson and Scott Silverman. This year’s event is sponsored by Strategy Development Partners, Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, Mini of Chicago, Walmart, American Airlines, Barefoot Wine and Bubbly, BBj Linen, Chandon, ChicagoPride.com, Grab Magazine, MillerCoors and Orbitz.

For more information about the event or sponsorship, visit centeronhalsted.org or call 773-472-6469. No physical tickets will be mailed for this event; tickets will be held at the door. Tickets are non-refundable and seating is limited. Center on Halsted is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Tickets over $50 are tax-deductible.

Editor's Note: This information was provided via press release.