Fundraisers

Past AMIA Fundraisers

Over the years, AMIA has held various fundraisers to help support its work at Anderson Marsh State Historic Park.

BLACKBERRY FESTIVAL

The Blackberry Festival was produced at the Park for over 15 years. The Festival featured foods made from blackberries, turn-of-the-century living history demonstrations, arts, crafts, music, melodrama, nature walks and fiddle contests.

OLD TIME BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL

After the Blackberry Festival was no longer being held, AMIA began holding the Old Time Bluegrass Festival. The Bluegrass Festival was held at the Park from 2006 through 2011. The Festival was postponed in 2012 when AMIA found that the efforts necessary to work with the State Parks Department to keep the Park open made it impossible for AMIA volunteers to also do the work necessary to put on the Festival.

Much work still needs to be done to make sure that the Park remains open and that needed deferred maintenance is performed. The AMIA Board has regretfully made the decision to cancel upcoming Bluegrass Festivals in favor of smaller fundraisers. This will allow AMIA volunteers to concentrate on the important work of partnering with the State Parks Department to insure that the Park remains protected, safe and open to the public.

AMIA greatly enjoyed bringing the Festival to the local community and knows that many folks will be disappointed by this decision. It is possible that as the situation at the Park is stabilized, AMIA will bring back the Festival in future years.

CATTAILS AND TULES

In 2011 and again in 2012, Vigilance Winery & Vineyards and Gregory Graham Wines, two wineries whose vineyards are located on the hills overlooking Anderson Marsh, held “Cattails & Tules” fundraising benefits that raised money to support AMIA’s efforts to protect Anderson Marsh State Historic Park.

The events featured music, a raffle that benefited AMIA and a competition among local chefs for the best “pairings” with wines produced by the two wineries.

AMIA appreciates the support of both of these local businesses.

MUSICAL FUNDRAISERS

Since 2012, on the second Saturday of September, AMIA has held a fundraiser concert. Between 2012 and 2016, these were held at the Soper Reese Theatre in Lakeport.

In 2012, the concert featured an evening of music with Sonoma performer Rita Hosking.
In 2013, the concert featured an evening of music with Pat Ickes and Bound to Ride, plus other local favorites.
In 2014, the fundraiser expanded to two days and included country dancing, lots of fiddle music, instrument workshops, and a whole day of performances by local musicians with Pat Ickes & Phil Cornish opening for headliner Blue & Lonesome.
In 2015, the fundraiser returned to one evening, featured regional headliner Rita Hosking and her Band with special guest Pat Ickes on pedal steel guitar. The show opened with local musicians The Johnson Family Band, the Contreras Brothers and InVoice.
In 2016, the fundraiser at the Soper Reese Theatre featured traditional American music by featuring Blithedale Canyon and the Thin Air String Band, along with the California State Old Time Fiddlers and local musicians.
In 2016, the fundraiser at the Soper Reese Theatre featured traditional American music by featuring Blithedale Canyon and the Thin Air String Band, along with the California State Old Time Fiddlers and local musicians.
In 2017, AMIA partnered with the Lake County Historical Society sponsor “Bluegrass at the Ely,” a joint fundraiser held at the Ely Stage Stop & Country Museum, featuring Bluegrass bands from throughout the Northern California region.
In 2018, the venue for the AMIA benefit moved to the Clearlake Campground for “Music on the Creek,” an afternoon of music under the oaks directly across from the Park.
In 2019, the music returned to Anderson Marsh State Historic Park once more for “Music at the Marsh,” an afternoon of acoustic music featuring local musicians who all donated their time and talent to benefit AMIA.

For more information, please call 707.995.2658 or email us at info@andersonmarsh.org