Wow, what an amazing day! Sunday, July 28th marked our very first LillyPalooza Bike Ride and Fundraising Party, and we are still buzzing with excitement from how well it all went. Held at the 4 Hands Brewery in the District, the event drew a fantastic crowd, amazing energy, and some truly unforgettable moments.
The day kicked off with our LillyPalooza Bike Ride on the Monarch Levy Trail in Chesterfield Valley. We were expecting about 10 riders but were thrilled when 30 people showed up, ready to hit the trail! The weather was perfect—sunny, with a breeze that made the easy, flat ride even more enjoyable. At the halfway point, Missey greeted everyone with drinks and snacks, providing a much-needed rest stop. Next year, we’re hoping to see even more families bring their kids, as it’s a great, paved trail perfect for all ages!
After the ride, the party really kicked off at noon, and wow—the turnout was beyond what we expected. We had prepared for about 50 people, but over 150 showed up! The venue, 4 Hands Brewery, was the perfect spot with its large open dining hall and food court. The bar at one end and the Hi-Pointe restaurant serving delicious burgers and appetizers at the other kept everyone happy and well-fed.
Our party atmosphere was so contagious that people who weren’t even part of our event came over to see what was going on. Some of them even bought raffle tickets—and a few walked away with prizes!
Speaking of raffles, we sold over 450 tickets that day, raising an incredible amount for Friends of Kids with Cancer. One of the best parts? A guy who wasn’t even there for LillyPalooza won a prize and immediately donated it back. It was such a cool moment of generosity.
The Toy Drive was equally successful. The Friends of Kids with Cancer team brought a huge barrel, and before the event officially kicked off, it was overflowing with toys. At the end of the day, it took two people to pack them all into their car, and we were still crossing our fingers they’d fit!
The true star of the day, though, was Lilly Ohlsen. Lilly recently underwent surgery to remove an Osteosarcoma tumor from her leg, and even though she’s still on crutches, her spirit was absolutely inspiring.
She gave a short speech about her experience and the amazing care she received, all while rallying everyone to support Friends of Kids with Cancer. Lilly is the one who suggested we partner with them for this event, and we couldn’t be more proud to have her as our honoree.
The party itself was a blast. Guests were free to roam inside or outside, play a few rounds of cornhole, and check out our raffle table and LillyPalooza merch, which is still available online by the way!
Every hour, team captain Gayle hopped on the PA to remind everyone why we were there and give fundraising updates. By the end of the day, we had not only met but far exceeded our $15,000 goal, raising over $18,000 for Friends of Kids with Cancer. Watching that fundraising thermometer fill up was such an incredible feeling.
One of the highlights was when Bridget Caldwell, Miss Missouri's Teen, showed up. She helped with the raffle, took pictures with guests, and added a little sparkle to the day with her crown and sash.
We wrapped up the day with full hearts, and we're already thinking about next year. LillyPalooza 2025 is going to be even bigger and better—Lilly should be fully healed by then, and we plan to continue the tradition by honoring another young warrior from Friends of Kids with Cancer.
Thank you to everyone who made this day a success. We couldn’t have done it without you, and we can’t wait to see what next year brings!