Sparks High School will hold its seventh annual “Quarter Auction” fundraiser to benefit its athletic department at 6 p.m. Saturday at the City of Sparks Recreational Center.

“It’s the social event of the year, in Sparks,” Sparks High School Assistant Principal Charlie Walsh said. “It’s a blast.”

The cost is $15 per person for admission and dinner. A table of eight can be reserved for $120. Walsh said the event usually sells out at around 350 people. No-host cocktails and the silent auction will begin at 6 p.m. The dinner buffet will open at 6:30 p.m. and the quarter auction starts at 7 p.m.

The silent auction has a wide range of items from sports memorabilia to a butchered lamb and more, Walsh said. There are more than 170 items in the auction and most range from $25 to $50 in value.

“Everything is donated,” Walsh said. “Most of the businesses throughout Reno-Sparks help us.”

Also during the silent auction is a dessert auction. People bring in desserts and tables can bid on them. The bidding starts at $10, Walsh said.

“Desserts are a big thing to see,” Walsh said. “Hotels and casinos have bakers bring in gorgeous desserts that you see in the buffets, they go for 30-40-50 dollars.”

The quarter auction is unlike regular live auctions. It’s more like a high-speed raffle, Walsh said. When participants arrive, they receive a paddle with a number on it and a corresponding ping-pong ball. The balls go into a tumbler and are used during the live auction.

“(You) need to come and experience it yourself to really know what it is,” Walsh said.

The auctioneer announces the item up for bid and everyone who would like to win that particular item puts a quarter in. A ball is pulled out and that number is called. If the person who has the number put in a quarter, they win the prize.

“Most people buy an all-night buy-in, which is $40,” Walsh said. “People can buy quarters but most do the buy-in. They can sit there and eat, drink and don’t have to put a quarter in.”

“It’s our largest fundraiser of the year. It’s what keeps our athletic department going … It’s essential to the survival of athletics at Sparks High.”

Last year Sparks raised $22,000 and is hoping to top that this year, Walsh said. The money is strictly for the athletic department and used for everything the school's program need.

“Getting into tournaments, buying balls, bats, uniforms and transportation costs money,” Walsh said.

The Sparks Recreation Center is located at 98 Richards Way in Sparks. Call SHS at 353-5550 for more information. Saturday's auction fun starts at 6 p.m. and will be over around 9 or 9:15 p.m., Walsh said.

“It’s action packed,” Walsh said. “We rock and roll. It’s a hoot.”