An amazing day of games and giving just flew by, and all the majesty of the circus was on display at this year’s annual day of games and giving, The Gauntlet: Cirque! The dust has settled and we’ve packed up the tent and we’re so proud of each team who participated and raised money for this year’s beneficiary, El Centro de la Raza. There will still be money coming in over the next few weeks, but as of today The Gauntlet: Cirque! raised $117,342, surpassing our goal by more than $47,000! Between our sponsors, donors, participants and volunteers The Gauntlet: Cirque! had more support than ever in the event’s six-year history.

All the fun under the big top

This year’s gauntlet was a highlight in Engage’s history. From the front of house activities with face-painting and balloon twisting to amazing food and drink specials running all day to the spectacular gaming action featured on Twitch’s main page the whole day was a truly special experience. So much effort was put into this event by so many people and it’s all worthwhile when we recognize that all that work will lead to more than 1100 hours of after school programing for low-income students in our area.

Lyla Ross, head of Engage kicked off the festivities by announcing Funko as the costume contest winners and inviting The Gauntlet competitors to start with a game of Parade. Following a lunch provided by Mox Boarding House, the teams moved on to trivia designed by event sponsor Exponential Entertainment, then Photosynthesis donated by the game’s publisher Blue Orange Games. Finally, Cirque du Mox kicked into full circus mode with a fun take on classic carnival games designed by Paul Peterson.

And the winner is…

After a full day of trivia, board games and a full round of carnival games, The Gauntlet was raised by… (drumroll please…) Team Bungie! Or more accurately The Gauntlets were raised by Team Bungie because not only did they finish first in the standings for the day’s competition, they won the Charity Gauntlet by fundraising $80,152!

See you next year

In the circus it’s bad form to say goodbye, it’s far too final, instead the traditional farewell is ‘See you down the road’ and that phrase couldn’t be more appropriate. We’re already hard at work planning our second annual Magic: The Gathering fundraiser The Chalice, and even thinking about next year’s Gauntlet, so this circus will keep performing for many years to come. So, until next year… thanks again and see you down the road!

By: David Peveto