Night Owl on the Town

September 19, 2026 @ Hotel Roanoke

Join us for an unforgettable evening at the Night Owl on the Town Gala hosted by the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center!

Each year, we care for nearly 2,800 wild patients, including threatened and endangered species, and we need your help to continue this vital work. This year’s gala is more than just a night out; it’s a celebration of our shared commitment to wildlife conservation and rehabilitation. Proceeds from the event directly support our efforts to provide expert medical care to injured and orphaned animals, deliver public education programs that inspire coexistence with wildlife, train future conservationists, and conduct critical disease research in partnership with colleges and universities. Your support also helps us promote the protection of Virginia’s wild habitats and biodiversity. As a nonprofit, we rely on compassionate individuals like you to keep this mission alive. Let’s raise a glass, and raise the bar, for wildlife care and conservation.

At the 2026 Night Owl on the Town Gala you will:

5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. – Meet our wildlife ambassadors up close throughout the evening. You’ll meet Tuskegee, a Red-tailed Hawk, Chessie a Great Horned Owl, Captain Jack Sparrowhawk an American Kestrel, our two Big Brown Bats, Beatrice & Koda, an Eastern Kingsnake named Elv-hiss, and Alby the Broad-winged Hawk just to name a few…
Special this year we’ll be auctioning off the name of a few new ambassadors too
5:00 p.m. – Try our signature cocktail, meet our amazing wildlife ambassadors, and view our amazing auction items, and be entertained by a few other surprises!
6:30 p.m. – Enjoy an elegant chef curated seated dinner with choice of:
- Char Grilled Filet Mignon with a truffled mushroom demiglace (GF, DF)
- Pan Roasted Statler Chicken: White Wine-Lemon Velouté (GF,DF)
- Roasted Salmon with a grain mustard horseradish cream (GF)
- Vegetable Paella, roasted pearl onion, red pepper, spring, corn, zucchini, squash, tomato, cannellini beans, brown rice, tahini drizzle (VN, GF)
- Dessert pairing of Ricotta Cheesecake (GF) lemon sauce, blackberries or Chocolate Cup Cake (VN) whipped frosting, chocolate sauce

***All entrees come with a fresh seasonal salad, truffle parsnip potato mash with fresh herbs, garlic, and cream (GF, V), and a spring vegetable sauté with zucchini, squash, peppers, peas, garlic, fresh herbs, and white wine (GF, VN).

Participate in exciting silent and live auctions
- 7:30 p.m. – Live Auction with special guest auctioneer WSLS anchor, John Carlin
- 8:00 p.m. – Silent Auction Closes
8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. – Lots music and dancing with one of Roanoke’s best bands, The Kings!!!
And, as always, a few surprises that you’ll have to come see for yourself!

You don’t want to miss out on this incredible opportunity to make a difference and have a fantastic time. Mark your calendars and join us at this year’s Night Owl on the Town Gala. It’s going to be a HOOT!!!

*(Black tie optional)

For discounted hotel reservations at Hotel Roanoke: https://book.passkey.com/e/51184040