MANCHESTER — It will take a $60 ticket, but no password is needed to enter the YMCA of Greater Manchester’s “Speakeasy” in the Brady Sullivan Plaza Concourse on Elm Street Thursday, Oct. 18. The YMCA Speakeasy will be in operation from 6 to 8:30 p.m., time enough for patrons to bid often and high on a number of items available in two silent auctions and to sample wines and a wide variety of food.

The annual benefit auction is an important source of funding for the YMCA’s Reach Out for Youth and Families, a program that supports individuals and families who need financial assistance to become YMCA members and to participate in YMCA programs.

Vice President of Development Leslee Stewart said this year’s theme, “Caught Red-Handed,” is inspired by the Prohibition era of flappers, gangsters and speakeasies.

While the decorations and staff costumes suggest the era, Stewart said patrons need not arrive in costume. They will be offered hats and long strings of beads, for the ladies, to wear while sampling the beverages provided by 12 wine distributors and the food presented by 20 restaurants.

Stewart said there will be wines for every taste and a wide variety of food, which ranges from from NH Cupcakes and Creampuffs to Hooked to Fratello’s Italian Grille to The Farm Bar & Grill to Edible Arrangements. Stewart said there is enough range in the food offerings to meet anyone’s dietary needs or desires.

There will be not one, but two auctions. One silent auction of more than 40 items, includes gift certificates for restaurants and spas, vacation packages and tickets to entertainment venues.

A high roller silent auction, with minimums set, includes such big ticket items as an African safari, four tickets just 11 rows back from the Celtics bench, a house in Florida for a week, and a stay at Loon Mountain with tickets for area attractions.

Stewart said last year the YMCA of Greater Manchester was able to provide $1.89 million in financial assistance and scholarship funds to 15,222 disadvantaged youth and families.

To purchase tickets contact Development Coordinator Sara McCarthy at 232-8624 or smccarthy@yogm.org.