EVENT OVERVIEW

Welcome to Findlay’s Night to Shine event overview page! Here, you’ll find detailed information about the evening's festivities, helping loved ones feel prepared and reassured as we come together to celebrate our honored guests in a joyful and loving atmosphere.

Online Registration: Once the honored guest is registered our team of volunteers spend time reviewing the submission and ensuring our kitchen staff, buddy-pairing team, and any other volunteers, are aware of any accommodations that may need to take place.  One of our volunteers will be reaching out to you closer to the event to go over details or questions we may have. Please provide a valid phone number and email so we can use those details to create a detailed lanyard.

Yard Signs: A team of volunteers will place yard signs in your yard the week before the event to add extra excitement for the honored guest.  If you do not wish to have a yard sign, please be sure you indicate that in your registration.

DAY OF EVENT:

Doors Open - Check-in: We kindly as that you do not arrive prior to 6PM when the event begins.  Our volunteers are putting finishing touches on the space and our buddies and paparazzi are getting final instructions.

Valet Parking: We will once again be offering Valet Parking so that it is easier for you and your loved ones to arrive to the registration tent

Registration/Check-in:  This year we have extended our check-in with tent out front of The Dock.  Here you will be asked to check-in the honored guest.  We ask that all honored guests are checked in by an adult.

Lanyard: The honored guest has information from the registration form added to a lanyard that will be given to the buddy to wear.  This includes emergency contact information should we need to reach you quickly in the event of an emergency.

Buddy Pairing: Once guests are checked in, we pair the honored guest with a same-gendered buddy who is close in age.  This isn’t about pairing the guest with a “date”, rather someone who the guest will feel comfortable with should they need any assistance through the night. 

  • Pre-planned buddy:  We encourage our honored guests to attend prom without their parents or caregivers so they can get a more authentic prom-night experience, but we understand when individuals need the security and care provided by their regular caregivers.  If you wish to provide your own buddy for the honored guest, they MUST complete the buddy registration form and background check.  This is non-negotiable and required by the Tim Tebow Foundation.

  • Dates: Guests are welcome to pair up ahead of time with a date, however, each guest will still be paired with a buddy at the event.  This is non-negotiable and required by the Tim Tebow Foundation.

Sparkle and (shoe) Shine: After being paired with a buddy, the honored guest will be shown areas to have some extras if they choose.  Flower corsage, shoe shine, hair touched up, light makeup. 

Walking the red carpet:

  • Parents/Caretakers may enter the space so that they can watch the red carpet entrance as a spectactor.

  • Once the guest is ready to enter the red carpet, the DJ will announce their name and they will enter the red carpet! 

  • There will be ‘paparazzi’ and photography during the red carpet entrance. 
    If your loved one does not do well with flash photography, please make sure it is mentioned on the registration form and our buddy will ensure no flash photography occurs during the entry. 

  • If the guest needs a quieter entrance, we can accommodate that as well while still experiencing the red carpet entrance!

Parents & Caregivers, where to?:  Caregivers may enter the event space through a designated area so they can watch the red carpet entrance. Once the honored guest’s entry is made, we ask that all caregivers exit The Dock. Caregivers may leave the property if they choose, or utilize the respite space that is provided for parents and caregivers in the church next door.  There are fun activities, food, and a live stream of the event so you can watch and be close by! This keeps the event a more authentic prom-like experience for these honored guests and their friends.

During the Event: The space is filled with lots of amenities and spaces that are perfect for this event!

  • DJ: DJ Smokin’ Joe Bacon will be available to play requests all night long and keep the fun on the dance floor!

  • Karaoke Room: Everyone’s favorite, KARAOKE!  The Karaoke Room is such a huge hit that we’ve purchased a tent to extend the space for a larger karaoke room.

  • Photo Stations: A team of photographers and videographers will be around all evening capturing beautiful memories.  You will receive information on how to access those photos after the event. There will be a photo-booth style area as well as a more formal photo area.  If you do not wish to have photos taken of your loved one, you need to make special mention of that during registration.

  • Sensory Space:  A room will be dedicated to quiet activities during the event so that if a guest needs to take a break from all of the excitement, their buddy can assist them to the Sensory Space.

  • Restrooms: There are men’s and women’s restrooms that will be monitored by a volunteer. 
    Special Restrooms: There is a special changing area available for individuals who need a changing table or more private area to change (there is no toilet in this area).  It is located next to the women’s restroom.

  • Carriage Rides & Limo Rides: Be sure to indicate on the registration form if the guest is permitted to take a ride in one of our limos or carriage! All guests will be accompanied with their buddy during these rides and will always be paired up with another group. This pairing is non-negotiable and is required by the Tim Tebow Foundation.

Welcome & Prayer: Pastor Dan from St. Marks Church will lead us in prayer to officially kick off the event. 

Food Served:  Food will be provided for each guest with the assistance of their buddy.  If your loved one needs special accommodations for feeding please indicate in registration or stick around to assist during the mealtime. Meal plans at this time include 2 fried chicken strips (Lee's Famous Recipe chicken) with choice of sauce, Mac and cheese, potato wedges, & Biscuit. (The chicken strips & potato wedges are fried in peanut oil and is from Lee’s Chicken). Condiments offered:  BBQ or ranch sauce, ketchup, honey, and butter. There will also be sodas, waters, lemonade, and dessert of Dietsch's vanilla ice cream squares (plain) and a variety of sprinkle ice cream toppers: red "confetti" hearts, gold sprinkle star mix, mini M&Ms, chocolate sprinkles, rainbow sprinkles, and red or blue colored sugar.

Meal plans are subject to change. Reach out if you have questions or concerns about the food being served.

Crowning Ceremony: The most special part of the night, each honored guest will be crowned as King or Queen of the prom during a special message on the big screen by Tim Tebow.  Guests will go home with their crown or tiara.

Event Ends: The event ends at 9PM.  Each guest will go home with a goody bag to help them remember such an incredible night.  Information about where to find photos will be in this bag.