Looking for an event this summer that will both support a good cause and be a really fun time?! Well, I’ve got just the right thing for you – the Sauvie Island Center Barn Dance held on July 26th!
The Sauvie Island Center is a local non-profit organization that provides Portland-area elementary school students with hands-on educational field trips at its location at Sauvie Island’s Howell Territorial Park. Through these educational programs, SIC seeks to increase food, farm and environmental literacy of the next generation.
I have been a member of the SIC’s board of directors, as well as a volunteer for the field trips, for about two years and really love what SIC stands for. I believe it is vitally important to teach children about where food comes from so they know that vegetables aren’t scary and that carrots don’t just come cut up from a plastic bag.
On Saturday, July 26th, the Sauvie Island Center is hosting their 6th annual big summer event and fundraiser. Held on the beautiful grounds of Howell Territorial Park and the Sauvie Island Organics farm, it is a really wonderful night out with delicious food, drinks, farm tours, square dancing and lots of fun.
The event kicks off at 4:30pm with a Scavenger Hunt for kids and tours of the award-winning Sauvie Island Organics farm for adults. Families will search the farm for everything from pollinators to edible flowers, while learning about how their food is grown. There will even be a Fun Farm Photo contest sponsored by Portland Nursery.
Dinner, courtesy of Chef Aaron of the soon-to-open New American, will offer guests a sneak peak of the new restaurant’s offerings. I have no doubt based on Chef Aaron’s skills last year that the menu will be delicious, featuring some Roast Chicken and Sweet Onion Fingerling Potatoes. Dessert of course sounds awesome with New American Chocolate Cake and Coconut Cake.
The fun continues after dinner with square dancing, featuring music and the traditional calling by Ned Leager and the Whole Grain Crackers! Enjoy some Widmer beer and Lady Hill wines while exploring the amazing finds at the silent auction.
Individual tickets are only $30, which includes the huge dinner served buffet-style and picnic-style seating. Children under 12 are $5. Just bring your own blanket and enjoy a fantastic evening on the farm.
If a VIP night out is more your style (which I totally support, especially since this is what I’m doing 🙂 ), you can sponsor a table for yourself and a group of friends or even for entertaining clients. Tables are set for six with fragrant wildflowers, cloth napkins and colorful, festive china. Plus you’ll get to skip the buffet line and instead get dinner and dessert served to you, along with complimentary beer or wine. For all of that, it only costs $450, just $75 per person! (If you want to do a table and still bring kids, they are still only $5 each and can either squeeze into the table with you or take a seat on the ground nearby.)
The Barn Dance is a really fun, wonderful evening and goes to a really great cause. Truly a win-win! Buy your tickets now!
Hope to see you there!
rachel Lloyd says
This looks so fun!!!!! I have a bachelorette party that weekend or I’d be all over this!
Meredith {MarthaChartreuse} says
This looks fun!!! I have one pending event but if it is a no-go I am rallying the troops!!!!
bakerybingo says
Yes, you should!
Marlynn @UrbanBlissLife says
Fun! I’m still trying to juggle my schedule that week and figure out if we can go. It looks like an amazing event!
bakerybingo says
It would be super fun to see you out there, Marlynn!
Pech says
What a great event and great cause! I also especially love how this one is very affordable so that you can take the whole family and include kids!
Melinda says
This looks like such fun! I’d definitely be there if we weren’t out of town on that date!
bakerybingo says
Maybe next year or another event – we have plenty o days on the farm during the year! Summer weekends are always hard to fit everything in. Hope you have a good trip wherever you’re heading.