Yes, we know our tagline is One for All. But when it comes to our Community Club sponsors, they are all about one thing: helping ensure some absolutely memorable experiences from visitors to the 2023 49er Festival.
It’s expensive to put on a show like this. The 49er Festival carries a number of logistical challenges that cost money to address. Like traffic and pedestrian safety while Highway 120 is shut down for the Main Street Parade. And making sure Festival announcements, awards, and prize draws are heard throughout Mary Laveroni Park while hundreds of people are tasting chili, shopping the Marketplace, running the Obstacle Course bounce house (sorry, you must be 6-10 years old to play in the bounce house), or watching the Old West Gunfighters.
We have all of our sponsors to thank for making the 49er Festival possible in so many different ways. Our Community Club members have given cash, gift certificates, and merchandise valued from $100 to over $1000. The cash helps offset festival expenses, while non-cash donations become exciting Live Auction items, a fantastic array of Silent Auction items, and lots of Raffle Prizes. Between our major sponsors, Community Club sponsors, and individual donations of wine baskets, handmade tea sets, and original artwork, the combined value of this year’s Live, Silent Auction, and Festival Raffle Prizes is over $15,000! And that doesn’t even include the Grand Raffle prize - a $1600 eBike!
Remember, our local nonprofit partners Pine Cone Performers are sharing the proceeds of the Festival Raffle and the Silent Auction. Their members have put many hours of time and energy into bringing the most awesome fundraising elements to life this year. Groveland Trail Heads will benefit from Grand eBike raffle proceeds. And of course, Groveland Rotary is the beer/wine/margarita concessionaire, bringing more funds for local programs.
So, who are these unsung heroes who gave so much in valuable vouchers and sweet swag? And how can you score some of their generous donations at the Festival?
Check out this list of our Community Club sponsors and what you could win on Saturday.
COMMUNITY 1K CLUB
Hotel Charlotte - $250 cash sponsorship, $600 in lodging certificates; $200 in dining certificates (Raffle & Silent auction) and Exhibition Chili on Festival Day
OARS - $1200 Two-Day Rafting Trip on the Tuolumne River for Two (Live #8)
Premier Valley Bank - $750 cash sponsorship and volunteer support on Festival Day
Sierra Mac River Trips - Day on the T for Two plus Two Nights at HipCamp (Live #4)
Trail Less Traveled Bike & Gear - Aventon Sinch eBike at cost plus helmet (Grand eBike Raffle)
COMMUNITY 500 CLUB
El Dorado Septic Services - Septic Tank Pumping up to $485 value (Silent)
Larry Jobe & Penny Christensen, Yosemite Area Real Estate - Yosemite Flight for Three (Live #3)
COMMUNITY 250 CLUB
Accounting Plus - $100 cash sponsorship
Around The Horn Brewing Company - $250 in gift cards, drink tokens, merch (Raffle & Silent)
Sierra Flying Fish Company - $100 gift certificate (Silent); Fresh Fish Course (Live #6)
Two Guys Pizza Pies - $100 cash sponsorship, Pizza for volunteers on set-up day, $150 gift certificates (Raffle)
Yonder Yosemite - $250 cash sponsorship
Thank you to all of our local businesses who contributed to the success of the 2023 49er Festival.
Festival and Grand eBike Raffle tickets will be available for sale Friday, September 14 outside Chili Cook-Off Sponsor Mar-Val Food Stores from 5-7 pm. You can also pick up pre-ordered Chili Tasting Bags or buy your Chili Tasting Bag for the pre-Festival discount price of $9 at Mar-Val.
Festival Raffle tickets ($1 each/12 for $10) will be on sale at the Pine Cone Performers’ Silent Auction/Raffle area near the Thousand Trails Main Stage until noon on Saturday. Grand eBike Raffle tickets ($5 each), Chili Tasting Bags ($10), and Adult Beverage tickets ($8 with valid ID) will be on sale at the Chamber Cashier Shack from 9:30 am - 4:00 pm on Saturday.