Marquette, MI – August 23, 2018 – This evening, community members gathered at Mattson Lower Harbor for the 35th Annual HarborFest Waterfront Gala. Each year, the Marquette West Rotary hosts this ticketed event to kick off the weekend of live music and celebration. This evening about 250 people joined us for a Mediterranean themed dinner under the big top, with Lake Superior as a stunning backdrop.
Rather than a plated dinner like previous years, there were several food stations throughout the tent that guests visited for a variety of food options. Desserts from Baby Cakes as well as appetizers following the “Taste of the Mediterranean” theme were set on each table, and of course, to pair with all of the delicious food, the Gala served wine, craft beers, hard cider, and a limited bar selection.
While the evening is a nice chance to wine and dine with your corporation other or members of the community, the Waterfront Gala also plays a large role as one of the main fundraising events for the Marquette West Rotary. During the event, the Rotary holds a raffle along with a live and silent auction with items donated by our generous community. This year’s Gala featured higher quality items to provide a more exciting bidding experience for those you attended. Live auction items included a week-long stay at Hills Point Resort in the Les Cheneaux Islands, a Party Barrow full of liquor, tickets to a Green Bay Packers game and advertising packages from Great Lakes Radio and TV6.
The money raised from the Waterfront Gala activities helps support Marquette West Rotary’s contributions to numerous non-profit organizations throughout Marquette County. Last year HarborFest raised over $35,000 to help support Marquette West Rotary’s donations to over 35 Marquette organizations! But, without our local community members attending the Gala, the donations the Rotary makes wouldn’t be possible. Tonight, at the Gala alone, we raised over $10,000 to put right back into the Marquette community!
We need your support to give our support, so if you’re interested in joining us for the 36th Annual HarborFest Waterfront Gala and helping the Marquette West Rotary raise money to put back into the Marquette area, contact Michelle Sellers at (906) 273-2618. Corporate sponsorships, individual, and group tables are available each year.
To see photos from HarborFest 2018, click here.
