For the Love of the Cake is a charity event we are hosting on the front lawn at our Lodge. It is essentially a slice-of-cake potluck where you purchase a ticket to participate, bring a cake (list all allergens) and a cake server. At the event, you check in, obtain a colored wrist band and bakery box, and place your cake and your server on the table. Then join the crowd to await what comes next.

What comes next is where the fun begins. When your color is called, you line up with your group, in a cake holding area and have 2 minutes to fill your cake box with slices of cake. After that, we call the next color group and so on. Rinse and repeat for a 3-minute round. After all colors have gone a second time, it’s THUNDERDOME and all groups go in for 10 minutes and get the rest. Then, you eat. Everyone packs in their stuff and packs it out. Leave no trace. Feel free to bring other picnic lunch items, too.

This event is open to the public–ages 12 and up. You can bring younger kids to picnic and eat cake after, but they can’t be in the cake cutting area. You have to buy a ticket and bring a cake to be allowed into the cake area, but you can bring friends or kids under 12 to watch and help you eat later. You’ll need to bring your own plates, forks and napkins to eat your spoils.

We especially want to invite the community with particular hope that many of the groups we donate to each year will attend.

So get your tickets now to join the fun.

Tickets: $25 (You must purchase a ticket AND bring a cake to participate in the cake slicing). This price is good until 9/18, 11:59 pm. After that and at the door, tickets are $35.

What: For the Love of the Cake: A cake potluck experience to benefit our Local Charity Fund

When: Sat. Sep. 19, 11:15 am – 1:30 pm

Where: Our Lodge Front Porch and Lawn

Host: Alameda Elks Lodge FTLOTC Committee

Who Should Attend: Anyone who loves cake (to participate in the cake slicing, you must have a ticket, bring a cake, and be 12 years old and up). If you bring friends who do not bring a cake or purchase a ticket, you decide how you’ll share.

How: Purchase your ticket, bring a cake (that can feed at least 8 people…homemade or bought), and a cake slicer/server (disposable recommended).

 

FAQs

Will tickets be sold at the event? Will bar be open?

  • Yes, but we may have limited space, so the earlier you purchase the better.
  • Tickets will increase to $35 at midnight, Sep. 19, 2026
  • Bar will be open from 11 am-1:30 pm during the event selling soft drinks, beer, wine, cocktails. Please have ID for alcohol.

Will refunds be available?

  • No, this is a fundraiser for local charities (Alameda, Emeryville, Oakland); ALL SALES FINAL.

Are all ages welcome?

  • 12 and older are welcome to participate and must have their own ticket and cake
  • Each attendee must bring a cake and wear their provided wristband
  • If children under 12 are brought, they cannot participate in the cake slice rounds but can eat cake with you if so desired!
  • Each cake must have its own slicer and list of allergens available to see

How do I manage my property?

  • We hope to see you hanging out after the rounds – bring blankets, lawn chairs, cups, forks, plates, napkins, food and non-alcoholic beverages (we’re also selling drinks in our clubroom) but the event closes at 1:30 pm and we’ll begin the take-down (removal of tablecloths, leftover cake, etc).
  • Please trash or take whatever you’ve brought in – need to leave property as clean as you found it. “Pack in, Pack out” mindset!

Are there bathrooms?

  • Are there bathrooms – yes! Access to bathrooms on the main floor will be available until 2pm

Is there access to the building via elevator?

  • Yes, on the east side of the building, there’s access to the elevator; push the button for the Foyer/Mahogany Room
  • The cake slicing will be held in the driveway closest to City Hall and guests are invited to picnic on the front lawn.

What if it’s raining or there’s a threat of rain?

  • If rain is forecasted we will move inside to the Lodge Rathskeller (basement)
  • But, it won’t rain! It won’t!

Are there cake restrictions?

  • Check-in at Reg Table: 11:15–11:45am; late arrivals don’t have a guarantee of participation
  • While in the selection process, we are using the honor system and ask that you take only average size slices of cakes; this ensures some for others!
  • Each ticket holder must bring a cake; no pies, cookies or cupcakes
  • Each cake should yield a minimum of 8 slices
  • Cakes can be home-made, store-bought, or bakery-provided; cakes can be sweet or savory
  • Bring a cake slicer/server to leave with your cake (nothing irreplaceable, please; there are disposable slicers available through Amazon)
  • Provide a list of allergens for each cake (i.e., nuts, “alternative” flours, etc) plus the name of the cake.
  • Label your carrier with your name; stash the lid under the table where you’ve put your cake
  • One cardboard box per person; no extras! You’ll be given a box at Registration
  • If you want to store cake slices in something stronger than a cardboard box, bring a sturdier container but the provided box is used to make your selections
  • Professional Bakers – Interested in attending? Please contact Elks Admin Alameda: elks1015@gmail.com. Consider having business cards, your contact info, what cake you brought, on an index card – some way for people to contact you, plus a reminder of your cake!

Is there parking/drop-off?

  • Depending on event size, limited parking may be available in the Lodge parking lot; street parking or parking tower by the Alameda Theatre, on Oak St. @ Santa Clara Ave. available

Can I post images?

  • YES! We want you to post pictures from the event on social media! Use hashtags:       #4theloveofthecake #AlamedaElksCakePotluck