The Shea Center’s 47th Annual BBQ & Family Faire, proudly presented by The Klein Family, is just around the corner on Saturday, September 27, and has been voted “Most Unique Event” by the Orange County Business Journal and “Best Local Event” by The Capistrano Dispatch People’s Choice Horseshoe Awards. We are grateful for our Event Sponsors Roger & Helen Abramson and H.T.F. Charitable Foundation, and our Diamond Sponsors Jerry and Jackie Kehle, The Nancy and Derek Lewis Family, The J. Grace Foundation, and Andrea Shelly. Thank you for supporting this special event by purchasing tickets, bidding in the silent auction, or donating items—all of which contribute to making this fundraiser a success. Below you will find helpful information on what to expect at the event.

Parking Information

• General Admission, Gold, and Platinum Sponsors, along with their guests, and Premium Ticket Holders will have parking available at J Serra High School. Enter from Junipero Serra Rd, 26351 Junipero Serra Rd, San Juan Capistrano. A shuttle is provided to and from The Shea Center.
• Presenting, Event, and Diamond Sponsors, along with their guests. Parking will be available at Fairmont School, accessible via the entrance on Oso Road. – 26333 Oso Rd., San Juan Capistrano, CA.
• Accessible Parking will be available in the volunteer lot just past the main entrance to The Shea Center.
• Guest Drop-off will be located at the corner of Oso Rd. before you reach The Shea Center building.
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Tips on When to Arrive/What to Wear

• The BBQ starts at 4:00 p.m. and will end at 10:00 p.m.
• Since we are asking guests to park at off-site parking lots (26351 Junipero Serra Rd, San Juan Capistrano), please allow time for the shuttle service to bring you to the Center.
• All guests will register in front of The Shea Center building. 
• At registration, you will receive your bid number and table assignments (for sponsor guests & Premium ticket holders). 
• All guests are encouraged to register for the auction and participate now (this also helps expedite your event check-in).
  • Note: A credit card is required for registration, but it will only be charged if your bid number is used for purchases such as auction items, raffles, carnival activities, or a donation to Fosheim Fund-a-Need.
• Recommended attire for the evening:
  • Casual, western wear. Layers are advisable as the weather cools in the evening, when the sun sets behind the hills. Closed-toed shoes are required for barn tours.

What’s There to Do at the BBQ?

While on-site at the Annual BBQ and Family Faire, guests will learn about our mission and the clients we serve, fundraise to support financial aid for our clients, and contribute to general funds needed to continue operating. They will also have the opportunity to meet our horses during barn tours and horse/client meet-and-greets, watch our clients participate in a horseback riding demonstration, play classic carnival games with the whole family, meet furry friends at the petting zoo, and more!

Schedule of Events 

• Gates open at 4:00 p.m.
• Barn tours 4:00 – 5:15 p.m., 6:45 – 7:15 p.m., and 8:30 – 9:30 p.m.
• Client/horses meet & greets, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
• Carnival 4:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
• Petting Zoo, Custom Hat Booth, & Magician 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
• Sponsor Saloon generously provided by Nick’s Restaurants, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
• Selfie photo spots (open all night)
• Line dancing demonstrations 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
• Flag ceremony/client horseback riding demonstrations 6:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
• Buffet dinner line opens for General Admission at 6:30 p.m.
• Tableside dinner service for Sponsor Tables begins at 6:30 p.m.
• Family Friendly Program includes:
  • Client Parade of Stars 7:00 p.m.
  • Client highlight video
  • Live auction
  • Fosheim Fund-a-Need
  • Dancing under the stars to BBQ house band Swingshift
• The event ends at 10:00 p.m.

ASL Interpreter Services 

• For clients and event guests who are hard of hearing or deaf, we will have American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters present at the event, providing interpretation of the horseback riding demo and throughout the evening’s program at the main event stage.

Barn Tours

• If you are eager to meet and interact with some of our therapy horses on a barn tour, please note these times for barn tours:
  • • 4:00 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.
    • Reopens at 6:45 – 7:15 pm
    • Reopens at 8:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
      *** Closed-toe shoes are required.***

Horseback Riding Demonstrations 

• Don’t miss out on watching our clients’ horseback riding demonstration, which starts at 6:00 p.m. and ends around 6:30 p.m.

Carnival

• Bring the whole family to the Carnival area for face painting and games—then swing by the General Store to collect your prizes! The Carnival runs from 4:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. And don’t forget to visit the petting zoo to meet our furry friends, custom hat booth to design your very own cowboy hat, and be entertained by the magician!

Dinner

• Savor a delectable BBQ buffet dinner from TGIS Catering starting around 6:30 p.m. (listen for the dinner bell!)

Sensory Break Rooms

• A quiet room and a sensory calming room will be available upon request for individuals who require them. Please ask a Shea Center staff member for assistance.
  • Sensory Calming Room: For individuals with disabilities who require a movement break to calm and reset, allowing them to return to the event and participate in the fun.
  • Quiet Room: For individuals with disabilities who require a quiet space to calm and reset, allowing them to return to the event and participate in the fun.

Client Parade of Stars

• Celebrate our clients during a parade at 7:15 p.m.
  • Shea clients, please line up ahead of time in Cvengros Arena (where the Sponsor Saloon is located) at 7:00 p.m., as Shea Center staff will be distributing glow sticks and light-up apparel for clients to wear.
• The Shea Center client parade is an event that honors all our current and past clients. This is our clients’ time to be recognized by the Centers’ supporters. The parade will enter the arena in a single file line, escorted by staff and volunteers. Families are encouraged to walk with their loved ones.
• Note: This may be too loud and energetic for some.

Silent Auction

• The silent auction is online at SheaCenter.org/BBQ and is open to everyone (even if you’re not at the event) from Saturday, September 20, at 12:00 p.m. Pacific Time until Monday, September 29 at 12:00 p.m. Pacific Time. Items will be available for pick up starting October 1 during our regular business hours, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Live Auction

• Have your bidder numbers ready (you will receive them at the event check-in). Our live auction takes place around 8:30 p.m., and the items include:*

1. • Dinner at the Firehouse: An Orange County Fire Station Experience
   • Nirvana by Chef Lindsay: 4 Course Dinner for 10 
   • Baja Bliss: 3 Nights in Valle de Guadalupe Wine Country Villa
   • Regency Air Private Jet & Colorado Cattle Ranch Getaway: 5 Days on a Working Ranch
   • Sponsor Shea Center Therapy Horse Baxter
   • Wahoo’s Taco & Margarita Party with Wing Lam for 25 Guests
   • *Subject to change

Fosheim Fund-a-Need

Did you know that approximately 86% of our clients receive some form of financial aid? The Fosheim Fund-a-Need provides funds for client financial aid, horse care, and priority programs, including our military programs.

• The fund is named in honor of Penny and Jon Fosheim, whose more than 35-year commitment to our mission is deeply appreciated.
• Watch this video about Fosheim Fund-a-Need to learn more, and don’t miss your chance to support the fund during the evening program.

Thank you for supporting The Shea Center.