Submitted by Alli Behnke, HKYFS
(May 14, 2026) — Haddam Killingworth Youth and Family Services is excited to announce the launch of its online silent auction in concert with the Second Annual Killingworth Motown Music Festival, taking place on June 5, 2026 at Parmelee Farm. Gates open at 5:00 p.m. with food trucks available.
Bidding will open on May 26, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. and close at 5:00 p.m. on the night of the concert. You don’t have to be local or attend the concert to participate. Anyone can bid from anywhere! Community members are encouraged to share the link with family and friends near and far. Just visit hkyfs.betterworld.org to browse the full collection and place a bid. Winning bidders will be announced before the concert, so we hope you’ll join us! Anyone who is not present will be notified by email and/or phone.
This year’s auction offers an exciting and diverse collection of items and experiences, with more being added every day. Travel highlights include a six-night stay at Casa Circo, a stunning private home on the Pacific in Baja California Sur, Mexico; a weekend retreat at Evergreen Cabins in the Adirondacks; a spectacular six-night stay in the magical Azores Islands; and the ultimate Broadway getaway for two, complete with a four-star Manhattan hotel stay, mezzanine seats to a top show, a pre-show dinner, and an exclusive cast meet-and-greet. Closer to home, bidders will find a local theater enthusiast package, a gardener’s extraordinaire package, a family portrait session, a sourdough bread-baking class for six with The Bread Girl Artisan Breads, and a handcrafted locket from Aquinnah Jewelry, a beloved Killingworth artisan. Check back often at hkyfs.betterworld.org for the latest additions.
Local business owners who are interested in donating an item still have time to contribute! If you have a service or prize you would like to offer, please reach out to Alli Behnke, Executive Director of HKYFS, at alli.behnke@hkyfs.org or 860-345-7498.
Last year’s Motown concert drew 1,500 attendees and raised nearly $10,000 for HKYFS. This year, organizers are aiming to double that impact. Proceeds benefit HKYFS and its prevention-focused programs supporting children, teens, and families throughout the Haddam-Killingworth community. Haddam-Killingworth Youth and Family Services provides vital mental health services, youth programming, and family support on a sliding-scale basis, ensuring that no family is ever turned away due to financial need. HKYFS extends its deepest gratitude to Scott Struzinski of What’s on My Roof and Eileen Unger of The Bread Girl Artisan Breads, whose vision and dedication brought this concert to life. They have chosen HKYFS as its beneficiary for the second year in a row. Their commitment to this community makes events like this possible.
To place a bid or learn more, visit hkyfs.betterworld.org starting on May 26, 2026. The auction closes at 5:00 p.m. on June 5, 2026 right before Parmelee Farm comes alive with the sights and sounds of Motown!
