December 15, 2022 |
The Festival of Trees in Saratoga last Friday night helped fill the funding void to the Chamber of Commerce caused by the cancellation of the annual Ice Fishing Derby.
The Saratoga/Platte Valley Chamber of Commerce hosted the annual Christmas-themed fundraising event on December 9th in the Great Hall at the Platte Valley Community Center. Tickets for the gala sold out over a week before the event took place. The Chamber of Commerce CEO Amanda Knotwell said the cancellation of the fishing derby resulted in people being more generous with their donations.
The 2023 Ice Fishing Derby was canceled after illegally stocked yellow perch were found during last year’s event. To stop the spread of the non-native fish, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department purged Saratoga Lake of all marine life using a toxin called rotenone. The state will restock the lake in the spring.
Attendees of the Festival of Trees were treated to cocktails and appetizers. Afterwards, there was an auction. Knotwell said there were several decorated artificial trees to bid on. The chamber of commerce CEO described some of the other items up for sale.
A large wooden tree donated by Aspen Sky Merchant Mall generated the most money, garnering a high bid of $900. Ticket prices ranged from $40 for an individual up to $600 to sponsor a table of eight people. Knotwell said all in the Festival of Trees brought in more than $30,000.
The money will help fund Chamber operations and events throughout the year. The annual chamber of commerce dinner will be held in March. Knotwell said the chamber will begin the new year with the Business of the Year awards.
The cancellation of the 2023 Ice Fishing Derby was a financial blow to the Saratoga/Platte Valley Chamber of Commerce. According to Knotwell, the Festival of Trees gala helped make up for some of that lost revenue.
