Goochland Education Foundation Hosts Murder Mystery Masquerade Gala at Dover Hall

Guests at Dover Hall traded black-tie formality for magnifying glasses Friday night, gathering clues and interrogating suspects at the Goochland Education Foundation's Annual Gala, a masquerade-style murder mystery fundraiser that ran from 6 to 10 p.m. at 1500 Manakin Road in Manakin-Sabot.

The foundation framed the evening as a whodunit in which attendees became detectives, tasked with interviewing suspects and collaborating with fellow guests to solve the case. Masks were optional, with the foundation noting that "the mystery and excitement await regardless of your attire."

Between clue-gathering, guests were served dinner with a complimentary open bar and arrived to complimentary valet parking. The fundraising centerpiece was a live auction featuring items that ranged from fine jewelry to novelty party lots. Among the offerings: flower-shaped sapphire earrings totaling 1.49 CTW surrounded by 0.04 CTW diamonds set in 18K gold; diamond hoop earrings in 18K gold with 0.66 CTW diamonds; and a Barbour Classic Beaufort or Classic Beadnell jacket from Orvis, with the winner choosing between the men's or women's style.

The auction's most whimsical lot was the Wheelbarrow of Cheer, described by the foundation as a brand-new wheelbarrow filled to the brim with assorted liquors, with the caveat that it "has everything for hosting a great party, except the guests." A 50/50 raffle drawing rounded out the evening's fundraising activities.

The foundation described sponsorship of the gala as "an investment in our community's future," though specific program allocations from proceeds were not detailed in event materials. Sponsor names were acknowledged on the event page but not listed in materials available at publication.