The following is a press release issued by the Ukiah Valley Trail Group:
The Ukiah Valley Trail Group (UVTG), in collaboration with the Greater Ukiah Business and Tourism Alliance (GUBTA), will host an inaugural fundraiser gala from 5:30 to 8:30 pm on Friday, October 6, 2023. The event, inspired by community events like Kelseyville’s annual farm to fork dinner is called “Gala in the Street.”
“We’re going to close the street and put it to it’s best use as a place for people to gather, commune and celebrate the joy of living in this beautiful place,” said Neil Davis, UVTG Board Director. ”We’ll hang lights and have long tables placed in the middle of School Street. Great people, great food, and drinks all to benefit great trails close to home.”
“It’s time that Ukiah had a signature downtown fundraiser that celebrates our excellent community benefit — our trail system — which locals and visitors can appreciate and use to enjoy the natural beauty of the Ukiah valley,” said Katrina Kessen, Executive Director of GUBTA.
Ellery Clark Catering will serve up a dinner of seasonal paella, locally sourced salads and sides, and his famous carrot cake. Husch Vineyards will serve their delightful wine. Local auctioneer and owner of the Mendocino Grain Project, Rachel Britten, will run the live auction, which will include items such as an overnight in a custom luxury tree house with home cooked scones for breakfast, a sunset/full moonrise excursion to the highest point in Ukiah’s western hills, coastal getaways and more.
This will be the trail group’s first ever in-person annual fundraiser and the UVTG Board is committed to make this a special evening and a destination in itself.
The Ukiah Valley Trail Group is an all volunteer group. Although the Trail Group works with a variety of land managers and requires land manager approval for projects, it is the Trail Group that does virtually all the building and maintenance of local trails. “If you’re on a trail in the Ukiah Valley, we either built it or we maintain it,” said Davis. “We’ve done a ton of great work, but for us to take it to the next level, which we need to do, we need the entire community, including individuals, businesses, and land managers to help us out with their financial support.”
Tickets for the event are available through Brown Paper Tickets and cost a $125 donation per person. Tables of 8 are available as well. Tickets are expected to sell fast.
