On Saturday, September 12, the Belleville General Hospital Foundation will transform CAA Arena into an unforgettable evening of dinner, entertainment, dancing and surprises, all while raising funds to help advance neonatal care in our community.
Presented by McDougall Insurance and CIBC Wood Gundy Brady Clark Advisory Group, Under the Big Top will bring together exceptional local talent, culinary expertise and community partners for a gala experience unlike any other.
Guests will enjoy an elevated dinner prepared by Executive Chef Patrick Turcot, travelling from Ottawa to lead the culinary experience with Aramark Sports & Entertainment, the new food and beverage partner at CAA Arena. But this isn’t simply a dinner. Throughout the evening, guests will be treated to a show featuring dancers from Quinte Elite, local mentalist Buzz Collins, and a spectacular performance from Circus Universe.
Collins, a familiar voice to Quinte listeners as the host of Rock 107’s The Morning Buzz, will bring his unique brand of mentalism and audience interaction to the evening.
Guests can also expect a few unexpected touches throughout the evening, with local community partners including Happy Popcorn Co. and psychic Steve from Happy Buddha helping bring the Big Top experience to life.
“We wanted this year’s gala to feel like an experience from the moment guests walk through the door,” says Alec Bauer, Interim Executive Director of the Belleville General Hospital Foundation. “There will be incredible food, entertainment, a few surprises and plenty of opportunities to celebrate with friends and colleagues. Most importantly, it will be a night where our community comes together to make a real difference for families right here at home.”
Guests are encouraged to dress to impress and embrace the glamour and theatrical spirit of the evening. After dinner and the show, local DJ K Lav will take over the dance floor and keep the party going.
The evening will also feature a live auction led by longtime community auctioneer Boyd Sullivan. After decades behind the microphone and supporting charitable events throughout the region, Under the Big Top will mark Sullivan’s final auction before his retirement.
Keeping families close to home
Behind the spectacle of Under the Big Top is an important purpose: helping advance the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Belleville General Hospital from a Level 2A to a Level 2B NICU, so more fragile newborns, including babies born as early as 32 weeks, can receive the specialized care they need close to home.
The Foundation is raising $400,000 for priority NICU equipment needed to bring that expanded level of care to more newborns in our region.
“When a baby needs specialized care, where that care happens matters,” says Jenn Faulkner, Manager of the Perinatal and Paediatrics team. “Advancing our NICU means more babies will be able to receive the care they need right here in our community, rather than being transferred to another hospital. It means more parents can spend those first critical days at their baby’s bedside instead of travelling between hospitals, and more families can stay together during a time that is already incredibly stressful.”
There are just two weeks left to secure tickets for Under the Big Top. Ticket sales close August 31, 2026, and guests are encouraged to reserve their seats now for this one-night-only experience.
Individual tickets are $250, or guests can purchase a table of eight for $2,000.
With exceptional food, live entertainment, unexpected surprises, a final auction from one of Quinte’s best-known auctioneers and a cause that will directly impact families in our region, Under the Big Top is shaping up to be a night you won’t want to miss.
Tickets and event information are available at bghf.ca/gala.
