There’s no other event like it at Lake of the Ozarks. A fusion of elevated atmosphere, top-tier cuisine, one-of-a-kind auction items, and luxurious boats — the Yacht Gala is in a class of its own.
Now in its fourth year, the event — a charity fundraiser that "celebrates the good life for a great cause" — is set for this Friday, July 24, at 1932 Reserve. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the night ends with a fireworks show at 8:45.
This year's Yacht Gala will showcase 12 of the Lake's best chefs, serving their most competitive dishes. Attendees will get the chance to sample from every chef, and then vote for their favorite with a Yacht Gala token. Can't pick a favorite? Buy more tokens and cast more votes... all proceeds from the tokens go straight to benefitting the Yacht Gala's chosen charity: Kids' Harbor.
In fact, the real story of the event is how much it raises for Kids' Harbor — a local organization that helps kids in situations of crisis or abuse. In four years, the Yacht Gala has raised over $300,000 for the charity.
How?
Kelly's Port leads the way with generosity: the 1932 Reserve dock slips are filled with the marine dealer's finest boats, and 1% of total sales for the weekend is donated to Kids' Harbor. One is designated as the "Kids Harbor Boat," with 100% of its profit going directly to the charity. (View that boat — a 2026 Bennington tritoon — here.)
Boats To See At The Yacht Gala
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Ticket proceeds (tickets are $150/each) benefit the organization, and so do the proceeds from the silent and live auction. And the Kelly's Port team says they're especially excited about this year's auction items.
"We've pivoted away from having so many items that people could buy on their own, more toward one-of-a-kind experiences that you can't really replicate," said Julie Pittser, one of the main organizers of the gala.
These aren't items you can buy. They're experiences you have to win.
So this year's auction includes stays in luxurious homes at desirable destinations — one such home typically goes for $30,000 a week. Watch Kelly's Port's social media accounts for auction announcements this week leading up to the gala.
Other items for auction will include:
• 8th row tickets to the Kansas City Chiefs vs. Denver Broncos in Denver on November 1.
• 3 days and 2 nights at the WhistlePig Farm & Distillery in Shoreham, Vermont
• St Louis Cardinals vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Weekend Baseball Experience
• Live Art Experience from Garrett Jackson from Sixone Arts
So whether it's the thrill of winning an auction, the plunge of buying a boat, the satisfaction of voting for your favorite chef, or just the simple action of writing a check (or donating online) to help fund this critical Lake area charity, the Yacht Gala offers abundant opportunities to do some good.
And to have an incredibly good time while doing it.
