You’re invited to a memory- making week of fun, connection and beauty as the Friends of Freedom Park fundraises for and celebrates Freedom Park. The in-person party is 6:30-8:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 21. It's free to anyone and everyone! Come on down to meet new friends and toast Freedom Park!

2021 is the Great River Road Visitor & Learning Center’s 15-year anniversary at Freedom Park. There’s a lot to celebrate! The Friends of Freedom Park have brought Prescott’s dream of a Visitor Center to vibrant reality and over the last 15 years, have created many opportunities for visitors and community members to learn, appreciate and engage. The Friends are excited to further develop and grow into their mission over the next 15 years! The park’s great staff, engaging programming and beautiful facility rely on funding acquired during the annual fundraiser. This event is vital to allowing the Friends to continue their work for the ecosystem, the community and for visitors coming from all across the nation.

The online silent auction will be open for bidding from Aug. 14 through sunset (8:07 p.m.) on Aug. 21. Watch for fantastic items and unforgettable experiences up for bid— a date night in Freedom Park’s gazebo, a guided fishing trip, custom-made knives, catered dinner for eight, and more! Like last year, the week-long auction will happen with help from the online bidding site Event.Gives. This is a platform made for non-profits and has helped many organizations like the Friends of Freedom Park offer virtual opportunities to give to great causes. Any adult with a smartphone or computer can log in and bid or flag items they are interested in trying to win. Donations can also be received by text or on the Freedom Park website (freedomparkwi.org). Watch the Great River Road Visitor & Learning Center’s Facebook page or website for announcements about items becoming available to view. _ Freedom Park and the Great River Road Visitor & Learning Center have many projects and programs that can be directly supported at the Sunset Soirée. These future hopes include: goats for prairie restoration, a huge floor map of the watershed, garden sponsorship, and family- friendly programming, to name just a few. Gifts given outside of the event are also welcome to help fund the park. Donations of all sizes matter: $10, $50, $250 or more can help bring to life a project that matters to you. Visit_www.freedomparkwi.org /donate_to learn more.

Submitted by The Friends of Freedom Park

Photo courtesy of Will Fritsch