From August 15-22, 2020 Freedom Park will hold a first ever VIRTUAL fundraiser. This time of year typically brings the community together for Freedom Park’s annual fundraiser – an evening of socializing, sharing stories, enjoying the view, eating great food and bidding on items in a silent auction. Of course, normalcy would bring a table of goods to view (whether a representation of the item or the real thing) in an event like this. This year is different. It isn’t only different for Freedom Park, but for everyone around the globe, all due to COVID-19. This year, most events, including the Friends of Freedom Park annual fundraiser, are virtual._ The Great River Road Visitor & Learning Center was closed for 98 days before reopening on July 1st. In the first two weeks after reopening, over 500 people visited the visitor center, but large programs and gatherings are not possible in the near future._ Ongoing COVID-19 issues were a point of great concern for the Board. The annual fundraiser typically raises funds for staffing, programs, and a major part of the park expenses that are needed to stay open. Char Magee, chair of the Board of Directors, said 'On one hand we know many people are concerned about getting together and their finances may have changed, but we also know the park is the jewel of Prescott and we felt we had to get creative and try new ways to keep the park funded.' And so, Freedom Park will have its first ever virtual fundraiser in three weeks.__ 'We are super excited to have what we believe is the first big virtual fundraiser in Prescott,” said Executive Director Israel Haas. 'We are going to do as much as we can to get the word out, but we are going to need a lot of help from the community, too.'___ The live event was to be called the Sunset Soirée. The name will remain, but the ongoing event won’t necessarily take place for attendees at sunset (unless that’s when you choose to log on from home.) However, to honor the center, the park, the event, and everyone participating, each night during the week of August 15-22 different groups will toast the park at sunset (with masks and social distancing done to the best of their ability) and post it online. 'With social media and live streaming, we’re going to get as many people as we can to toast with us virtually at sunset,' Israel stated. Despite the changes, this can truly be a Sunset Soirée, just as the name indicates._ The week-long event 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). If you are interested in learning more or supporting Freedom Park, visit the Great River Road Visitor & Learning Center’s Facebook page or_freedomparkwi.org.

Silent auction items include boating on the St. Croix, sushi dinner for eight, 'Reds around the World' wine tasting, an airplane tour of the St. Croix Valley, a weekend away at the Hilton Garden Inn, pizza for a year from Mama K’s Pizza, a day of snowmobiling, a family picnic for five from Ptacek’s IGA, and much more._ 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, and family- friendly programming, to name just a few. Our annual (virtual) fundraiser, as well as gifts given outside of the event, are ways 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. Watch on the website for more details on our auction items and ways to get involved.