Vail Valley Foundation Announces Star Dancing Gala for July 14

“The Star Dancing Gala is always one of the most memorable nights of our summer and reminds us just how much this community believes in its young people,” said Peter Barclay, vice president of philanthropy for the Vail Valley Foundation.

It’s a sentiment that sounds nice on a press release, but Barclay is pointing to something more tangible. The money raised here doesn’t just vanish into a general fund. It goes directly to Youth Power, an organization that supports kids from early childhood through college and career readiness across the Eagle River Valley.

Tickets are on sale now for the 2026 event, which takes place on Tuesday, July 14, at 5:30 p.m. at Signature Aviation in Gypsum. You can grab individual tickets or sponsored tables at stardancinggala.com.

The theme this year is “Bold Dreams. Vibrant Futures.” It’s a bit of a buzzword salad, sure, but it’s meant to signal that this isn’t just another gala. It’s about celebrating the ambition of young people who are stepping up as tomorrow’s leaders. And to prove it, five local celebrities are stepping onto the dance floor.

Let’s look at who’s dancing.

Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera is taking on American Smooth. She’s Colorado’s 50th Lieutenant Governor, leading six state programs, and she’s been in the trenches on health care access and disability policy for decades. Barclay notes she’s a lifelong Coloradan and a proud grandmother who follows in her father’s footsteps — he was still hitting the dance floor at 95. If the Lt. Gov can do it at her age, the rest of us have no excuse.

Then there’s Kellye O’Kelly, co-founder of Honed Studio, the Vail Valley interior design firm known for its warm, modern aesthetic. Originally from Texas, O’Kelly developed a passion for dance early in life. She’s using her platform to highlight the arts, which ties back to Youth Power’s mission of empowering youth through creativity.

David Hyde, owner and president of Shaeffer Hyde Construction, is going Old School Hip Hop. He’s called the Vail Valley home for 20 years. Construction folks aren’t always the first people you picture on a dance floor, but Hyde is putting in the work.

The evening itself is a standard high-end fundraising affair. Hors d’oeuvres, a plated dinner, cocktails, and personal wine selections. Then comes the live auction and paddle raise. The centerpiece is the dance competition itself, with local celebrities partnering with professional dancers. It ends with a dance party, because nothing says “fundraising for education” like a good beat.

Barclay says the valley shows up with “incredible generosity” year after year. The dollars fuel the programs that change lives. That’s the pitch. And for a community that relies heavily on private philanthropy to supplement public services, that pitch matters.

The question is whether the celebrity draw is enough to drive attendance this year. The lineup is strong. You’ve got state government, you’ve got local business leaders, and you’ve got construction and design. It covers the major pillars of the Vail Valley economy.

But the real test is the price point. Tickets are available, but sponsored tables will run more. For the average family in Gypsum or Vail, buying a ticket is an investment. For a local business, sponsoring a table is a marketing expense and a community goodwill gesture.

Youth Power’s mission is clear: inspire, educate, and empower. The gala is the engine that keeps that mission moving. As Barclay puts it, it’s about showing up for the kids.

“The Star Dancing Gala is always one of the most memorable nights of our summer and reminds us just how much this community believes in its young people,” Barclay said. “Year after year, this valley shows up with incredible generosity, and those dollars directly fuel the programs that are changing lives for kids and families across the Eagle River Valley. We can’t wait to celebrate that commitment alongside our dedicated donors and community members.”

It’s July 14. The dance floor is waiting.