PORT ANGELES — Prime rib, outdoor sports action videos, auctions and old-time rock ‘n’ roll will be offered tonight (Saturday) in a fundraiser to support skiing and outdoor education at Hurricane Ridge.
“It’s just a good gathering of people who love the mountains,” said Frank Crippen, ski school director for the Hurricane Ridge Winter Sports Education Foundation.
Winterfest will offer a prime rib dinner prepared by Next Door Gastropub, a live and silent auction, and live music by the duo Bill and Rudy.
Doors will open at 5 p.m. at the Vern Burton Community Center, 308 E. Fourth St., with the opening of silent auctions and a no-host bar.
Dinner will begin at 6 p.m. Along with smoked prime rib, the meal will include an oyster bar and Pane d’Amore baguettes.
The evening will continue until 10 p.m.
Ticket prices
Individual tickets are $50 in advance and can be purchased at Swain’s General Store at 602 E. First St., Next Door at 113 W. First St., Necessities & Temptations gift shop at 217 N. Laurel St., Brown’s Outdoor at 112 W. Front St., Moss at 120 W. First St. and Brian’s Sporting Goods at 542 W. Washington St. in Sequim.
Tickets also can be purchased at the door for $55.
Children 12 and younger will be admitted for $25.
Community tables for eight can be reserved for $360, with the group’s name prominently displayed.
To reserve a community table, phone foundation treasurer Eric Flodstrom at 360-452-2327, ext. 304.
Winterfest is the pre-season fundraiser for the Hurricane Ridge Winter Sports Education Foundation.
Ski lift operators
The foundation supports the Hurricane Ridge Winter Sports Club, a nonprofit group that operates three ski lifts at the snowplay area south of Port Angeles on weekends and some holidays each winter, usually from mid-December through March.
Each year, the event supports capital improvements to the winter sports area and winter sports education at Hurricane Ridge, such as scholarships to underprivileged children in the community who would like to learn how to ski, snowboard or participate on a ski team.
All contributions are tax-deductible.
Ski Patrol
This year, the event also will raise funds for the all-volunteer Hurricane Ridge Ski Patrol.
“They come out and fix us when we get hurt,” Crippen said.
Ski patrol members purchase and maintain their own equipment, he said.
The theme for this year’s Winterfest is volunteerism.
“Hurricane Ridge skiing has always been about dedicated volunteers,” the auction booklet says.
“You know who you are — and we thank each and every one of you as we celebrate the beginning of our 57th year of skiing at the Ridge.”
Silent and live auctions will feature several “staycations,” including a stay on Lake Crescent with a kayaking tour, VIP status to next summer’s sprint boat races hosted by the Extreme Sports Park, a stay at the Red Lion Hotel with a round of golf at the Cedars at Dungeness with limousine service and a family season pass to Hurricane Ridge skiing.
Not all the items are here on the North Olympic Peninsula; there is also a Victoria getaway and two trips to Hawaii.
Design your own
One of the coolest auction items is a design-your-own snowboard or skis, including a tour of Mervin Manufacturing in Carlsborg, Crippen said.
“After the tour, the winner gets to design his [or her] own graphics,” he said.
Following the auctions, the event will show top films from VideOlympics, an outdoor activity-related film festival and contest held by the foundation in May.
The short films features local skiers and snowboarders “ripping it up” at the Ridge, plus surfers, skaters and mountain bikers all doing their thing on the Peninsula, Crippen said.
Winterfest is sponsored by Next Door Gastropub, Extreme Sports Park and 7 Cedars.
For more information, visit www.hurricaneridge.com or phone Eric Flodstrom at 360-452-2327, ext. 304.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.
