2026 Midnight Madness

MIDNIGHT MADNESS is a 35+ year CHS tradition. It’s a top-secret event where the HSA and a fleet of parent volunteers take the graduating class on an inclusive, substance- and phone-free, mystery adventure on the night of graduation. The Class of 2026 will embark on this spectacular journey on June 17th, 2026.

Here’s how it works: After the graduation ceremony, students come to CHS, check in and board buses headed for a secret location. The buses parade through downtown Maplewood and South Orange where community members line the streets to send the kids off in style! The graduates are then off to their mystery venue to enjoy one last night together as a class. The event runs from approximately 11pm to 3am, when the buses head back to CHS.

Photos courtesy of Joy Yagid Photography

Previous events have been hosted at RPM Raceway, American Dream, Fairview Lake Camp, and a NYC Harbor Cruise, just to name a few. These epic adventures are expensive and it’s our goal to include EVERY senior in the Class of 2026. We rely on fundraising, donations, and sponsorships to raise enough money to ensure that ALL students can attend, regardless of ability to pay.

There are countless ways you can sponsor the Class of 2026 and our Midnight Madness event! Individuals and small businesses can cover the cost of a MM ticket for 1-4 students starting at just $125. Premier sponsorships are available for $1,000 each and provide you with more exposure for your business, and Champion sponsorships ($1,500 - $2,500) include some of the anchor events of MM (Bus Parade and Send-off Parties), providing significant marketing and exposure for your organization.

2026 SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
 

Multiple levels of sponsorship are available. All levels are important and help to ensure that each and every one of our grads may attend this unique capstone celebration, while giving your business visibility in our community before, during, and after the event. See the full details about marketing exposure and logo placement opportunities for each level of sponsorship:

SPONSORSHIP LEVELS & BENEFITS

STUDENT SPONSORS (unlimited, $125−$500)

Our entry level sponsorship is an easy way to sponsor up to four students to attend Midnight Madness and share your support for the CHS Class of 2026 with the SOMA community.

These smaller but mighty donations are an essential way to ensure that all students can attend Midnight Madness. Sponsor up to four students to attend the big event and receive a Midnight Madness Sponsor placard to post in your place of business.  

$125 = covers an all-inclusive ticket for one student

$250 = covers tickets for two students

$375 = covers tickets for three students

$500 = covers tickets for four students 

SIGN ME UP!

PREMIER SPONSORS (unlimited, $1000)

The next level up allow you to provide even more support while getting more marketing exposure for your business or organization. 

Become an essential contributor to this outstanding event. Donations include cross-platform marketing opportunities from social media to newsletters to event signage in addition to a Premier-level Midnight Madness sponsor sign to post at your place of business. 

SIGN ME UP!

CHAMPION SPONSORS

Champion Sponsors "own" a portion of the event, getting your business in front of hundreds of seniors at check-in, throngs of well-wishers lining the bus parade route, and parents and families celebrating at your restaurant/bar. 

BUS PARADE SPONSOR (1 available, $2,500) 

Your business name and logo will appear on social media and marketing materials, adorn our buses as they tour our two towns for the send off, and more. For more details for what is included for this highly visible donation level, please contact the MM Chairs at midnightmadness@columbiahsa.com. 

SEND-OFF PARTY SPONSORS (2 available, $1,500) 

This sponsor is a bar or restaurant that wants to be host to our parents, guardians and friends after the big send off. We’re looking for one in Maplewood and one in South Orange to host the official gathering and send off party. It’s a celebration for the rest of us while the newly minted grads are off on their top secret adventure — and a great way to pack your establishment on a Wednesday night.

SIGN ME UP!

If you have questions, or would like more information about our sponsorship levels, please reach out to our Midnight Madness team at midnightmadness@columbiahsa.com. 

THANK YOU!
The Midnight Madness Team

MIDNIGHT MADNESS is substance (and cell phone!) free so the kids have absolutely no distractions and the party happens in the safest way possible (no drinking and driving possible here!). Our committee of volunteers works hard to raise as much money as possible in order to keep the fee per student low and to offer scholarships to every student who needs one.