CARLSBAD -- A nonprofit group in Carlsbad is hoping to raise at least $100,000 for local schools through its annual discount day at Legoland.

The Carlsbad Education Foundation is selling $15 tickets to the theme park as part of its annual Celebrate Carlsbad fundraiser May 2. (Legoland tickets typically cost $63 for adults and $53 for kids.)

"At 15 bucks, you can't beat it," said Valin Brown, chief executive officer of the foundation, which raises money to augment programs at Carlsbad Unified School District campuses.

The foundation hopes to sell 10,000 tickets, Brown said. Last year, they sold 12,000 tickets, he said.

Local schools will get $10 from each ticket sold. That money will mostly go toward music and hands-on science programs, Brown said.

The tickets will only be good for the Celebrate Carlsbad event, which will run from 1 to 9 p.m. May 2.

The event will feature fireworks and performances from students.

"Celebrate Carlsbad day is a great opportunity for the entire community to come together, celebrate what's great about our community and support our schools" Superintendent John Roach said.

The foundation started the Celebrate Carlsbad event last year by merging the Kids Are Worth A Million telethon with the community day fundraiser. This year, there will be no telethon, but the students' performances will still be filmed and shown on local public access television.

During the May 2 event, students from each school in the district will perform on the park's Fun Town Stage from 2 to 5 p.m.

For Legoland, the event is an opportunity to give back to the community, said Beth Downing, spokeswoman for the park.

"It was a great way to see your venue used," she said. "The performance by the kids were just a ton of fun."

The education foundation was formed in 1983 to raise money for educational and enrichment programs for the nearly 11,000 students in the Carlsbad Unified School District. Since then, the foundation has raised more than $4 million for local campuses.

Discounted tickets will not be available at the park. They must be purchased in advance.

Tickets for the Legoland event can be purchased in advance at any Carlsbad Unified campus, the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, Carlsbad Visitors and Convention Bureau, San Diego National Bank, Lola's 7-Up Market and Deli, Facelogic Spa, and the Carlsbad Education Foundations office at 5651 Palmer Way, Suite H.

In addition to the Celebrate Carlsbad event, the foundation also holds a golf tournament fundraiser each year and in the past put on the popular Taste of Carlsbad event.

More information on the event and the foundation is available at www.carlsbaded.org.

Contact staff writer Stacy Brandt at (760) 901-4009 or sbrandt@nctimes.com.