The Washington Wine Industry Foundation (WWIF) announced its largest event of the year to be held on Fat Tuesday, February 9, 2016; the new event will transform the longstanding Angel Share® auction into a stand-alone event. The new and larger event will be held in the Toyota Center on the Three Rivers Convention Center Campus in Kennewick, WA.
‘Mardi Gras - A Party & Auction’ will re-create New Orleans, with themed food, mock casino gaming, live and silent auction, live music and dancing. Tickets will go on sale soon for $75 per person ($100 after January 15) and include dinner, drinks, and complimentary gaming chips; further information can be found here. The evening will showcase the “Angel Share®” Raise-the-Paddle for scholarships for students pursuing degrees in viticulture and enology. The WWIF Board will dedicate all funds raised during the “Angel Share®” segment to scholarships for students seeking careers in the wine industry. Over the last 13 years, the Foundation has awarded nearly $170,000 in scholarships to 133 students. Sponsorship information can be found here.
“Supporting the next generation of growers and winemakers is a responsibility we take seriously as leaders in this industry,” remarked WWIF Chair Mark Wheeler of Saddle Mountain Vineyards, who added “we look forward to celebrating WWIF’s work on behalf of the industry at the Mardi Gras event.”
The Foundation’s mission is to strengthen the future of the Washington wine industry by advancing research, education, and leadership. WWIF has sought and administered $2.2 million in grants benefitting the industry; it also helps coordinate, manage, and promote scholarships funded by industry benefactors, and develops resources to sustain the efforts.
The Angel Share® auction had previously been held during the annual banquet of the Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers Annual Conference which too has been revamped.
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