King Neptune Gala

Our 18^th  annual King Neptune Gala to benefit The Tall Ship of Delaware and our education programs for school children and students of all ages on ship and shore will return TENTATIVELY on Saturday, September 20, 2025.

The Gala will be a festive event, held at the Tatiana & Gerret Copeland Maritime Center under our tents with a dockside cocktail reception, live music, a silent auction with mobile bidding, dinner with delicious food stations, live auction, special guest speakers, and dancing.

• 2023 Photo Album:  Enjoy photos of last year's Gala by volunteer Thom Unger and Jan Ross.

Auction Donations

We are seeking a donation for our Silent and Live Auction and hope you can support our biggest fundraiser of the year. Our online Silent Auction will open in mid-September and close the evening of Saturday, September 28 during the gala. Anyone can view and bid from anywhere. If you would like to donate an item, please contact KNF’s Office Administrator Claire Birney by email (link) or 302.429.7447.

• Please download and complete our Auction Donation Form.

The Kalmar Nyckel Foundation (KNF) is a non-profit educational organization that preserves and promotes the cultural and maritime heritage of Delaware and the Delaware Valley. We are an active 501(c)(3) organization, that reached 35,000 people in 2023 with hands-on history and unique learning opportunities.

2025 Gala Sponsors

Please consider sponsoring our most important fundraiser of the year. Our 2024 Gala Sponsorship Form with benefits, fees, and details can be downloaded here.

Please complete the form, scan and email Jan Ross or fax to: 302.429.0350.

King Neptune Gala Sponsors

Godmother's Circle $10,000

King Neptune’s Court $5,000

Mermaid’s Circle $2,500

Patron $1,500

2024 Gala Host Benefactors

Would you like to bring a group of four guests to the Gala? For a commitment of $1,500, you may participate as a Host Benefactor and support the important work of the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation. Please contact Amy Bielicki by email or call 302.429.7447 and download the attached form.

Questions?

Please call the KNF office at 302.429.7447 or send an email to Jan Ross, Director of Marketing and Public Relations.

Our Mission

The Kalmar Nyckel Foundation is a non-profit educational organization with the mission of preserving and promoting the cultural and maritime heritage of Delaware and the Delaware Valley for the education and enrichment of all. The Foundation is a volunteer-based organization that built, owns and operates the Kalmar Nyckel.