Celebrating 25 years!

Port Discovery is excited to celebrate a significant milestone in the coming year – the Museum’s 25th Anniversary! Since our founding in 1998, Port Discovery has expanded, renovated, survived, and thrived to become the region’s most beloved, award-winning children’s museum. The celebration will kick off in January 2024 and take place throughout the year with monthly themed educational weekends, public outreach campaigns, special events, and a culminating community block party. Join us in celebrating 25 years of joy, connection and learning through play!

Events

25th Anniversary Events & Celebrations

This year will be packed full of celebrations, events and fun! See what we are up to, including a FREE Community Birthday Bash and our signature fundraising event, Play It Forward! We will round out the year with a special 25th Anniversary Noontime New Year.

As events get closer, tickets and more information will become available.

Let It Shine

Saturday, February 10

Visit Port Discovery to celebrate Black culture through interactive experiences, art projects, storytelling, history and STEM.

Hops & Vines

Saturday, February 24

Adults Takeover Port Discovery! Come PLAY while you take a tour of samples from breweries and wineries from around the region. This event is for adults 21 years and over.

To learn more about becoming a Hops & Vines Sponsor, scroll down to “2024 Sponsorship Levels.”

Play It Forward

Friday, April 12

This year, Port Discovery’s signature fundraising gala will be an adults-only evening that will set the foundation for purposeful play for the next decade. We invite you to join us for a festive night of drinks, dancing, and making memories.

To learn more about becoming a Play It Forward Sponsor, scroll down to “2024 Sponsorship Levels.”

Community Birthday Bash

Sunday, June 2

Celebrate Port Discovery’s 25th Birthday with us! This event if FREE. Tickets are limited.

To learn more about becoming a Community Birthday Bash Sponsor, scroll down to “2024 Sponsorship Levels.”

Donuts & Dads

Sunday, June 16

Calling all Dads, Father Figures, Super Cool Uncles & Grandfathers- join us for fun-filled morning geared towards Fathers, Father Figures and the kids they love!

National Ice Cream Day Celebration

Sunday, July 21

Celebrate National Ice Cream Day at Port Discovery by grabbing some free ice cream samples and participating in ice cream themed games.

Set Sail for School

Saturday, August 24

Get ready for back to school at Port Discovery! Grab some free school supplies, participate in back-to-school activities and visit each of our partners.

Noontime New Year

Tuesday, December 31

As we close our 25th Anniversary, join us to celebrate the New Year, looking forward to 25 more years of play, joy and connection.

More Activities & Ways to Get Involved

If you can’t join us for any events, there are still plenty of ways to get involved! You can celebrate with us by visiting the museum this year or donating to Port Discovery. Feel free to leave the note “For 25 more years of learning and joy through play!” in your donation. Thank you for your support!

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Sponsorship Opportunities

Become a 25th Anniversary Sponsor

Port Discovery invites all of our supporters, past and present, to be part of the momentum in celebrating our 25th Anniversary. Please consider becoming a sponsor at one of the levels described below, all of which provide foundational support through all phases of the anniversary campaign. Your (or your business’) sponsorship will ensure that Port Discovery’s next 25 years are as remarkable as the last.
download a PDF version of 2024 sponsorship levels

2024 Sponsorship Levels

  • $50,000 Museum Visionaries

    Benefits

    • 20 tickets to Play It Forward + reserved seating at event

    • 14 tickets to Hops & Vines (if pledged by 2/10/24)

    • Lead Sponsor recognition on Play It Forward invitation, event website, and at event

    • Underwriting cost of 200 tickets to Port Discovery’s Community Birthday Bash in June

  • $35,000 Play Pioneers

    Benefits

    • 20 tickets to Play It Forward + reserved seating at event

    • 12 tickets to Hops & Vines (if pledged by 2/10/24)

    • Lead Sponsor recognition on Play It Forward invitation, event website, and at event

    • Underwriting cost of 150 tickets to Port Discovery’s Community Birthday Bash in June

  • $25,000 Education Explorers

    Benefits

    • 20 tickets to Play It Forward + reserved seating at event

    • 10 tickets to Hops & Vines (if pledged by 2/10/24)

    • Lead Sponsor recognition on Play It Forward invitation, event website, and at event

    • Underwriting cost of 100 tickets to Port Discovery’s Community Birthday Bash in June

  • $15,000 Imagination Builders

    Benefits

    • 16 tickets to Play It Forward + reserved seating at event

    • 8 tickets to Hops & Vines (if pledged by 2/10/24)

    • Recognition on Play It Forward invitation, event website, and at event

    • Underwriting cost of 60 tickets to Port Discovery’s Community Birthday Bash in June

  • $10,000 Discovery Makers

    Benefits

    • 14 tickets to Play It Forward + reserved seating at event

    • 6 tickets to Hops & Vines (if pledged by 2/10/24)

    • Recognition on Play It Forward invitation, event website, and at event

    • Underwriting cost of 40 tickets to Port Discovery’s Community Birthday Bash in June

  • $5,000 Creative Thinkers

    Benefits

    • 10 tickets to Play It Forward + reserved seating at event

    • 4 tickets to Hops & Vines (if pledged by 2/10/24)

    • Recognition on Play It Forward invitation, event website, and at event

    • Underwriting cost of 20 tickets to Port Discovery’s Community Birthday Bash in June

  • $3,500 Party Goers

    Benefits

    • 6 tickets to Play It Forward + reserved seating at event

    • 2 tickets to Hops & Vines (if pledged by 2/10/24)

    • Recognition on Play It Forward invitation, event website, and at event

    • Underwriting cost of 10 tickets to Port Discovery’s Community Birthday Bash in June

Become a Sponsor