For the sixth annual MAC Nite festivities, the Sequim Museum and Arts Center is keeping true to its purpose of promoting local history by having many of the items up for bidding be completely Olympic Peninsula-oriented.
According to event co-coordinator Layton Carr, more than 100 items were donated by Sequim-area merchants and businesses and will be awarded to the highest bidders come April 12.
“There are some excellent local packages up for bidding,” said Carr, who listed a horseback riding day-trip for two, a hiking tour of the old Spruce Railroad along Lake Crescent, a handful of cocktail cruises on yachts owned by Sequim residents and a historical narrated tour of the Sequim area on a vintage 1930s bus. Non-peninsula events include a seven-day Holland America cruise and a 20-person suite at a July 4 Mariners’ baseball game at Safeco Field in Seattle. Each year, according to co-coordinator Ed Honeycutt, Museum and Arts Center staff and volunteers choose a “special need” donation for the evening. The rest of the donated funds go for maintenance and updating of the buildings. In 2007, the auction raised more than $50,000 and $14,000 was raised for the special need, which was moving the historical Capt. Morris House from Medsker Road to the organization’s site near Sequim High School.
“This year, the special need will be to put a new roof on MAC’s exhibition building on Cedar Street,” Honeycutt explained. “It’s pretty old and badly in near of repair.”
During the auction, said Honeycutt, the auctioneer asks for donations for the special need, which is separate from the money raised from the bidding.
Carr and Honeycutt said the dinner and auction promise to be an elegant affair, complete with a champagne social hour, a salmon or roast dinner and live music during and following the meal.
“We’re basically following the same format as previous years,” said Honeycutt. “People really enjoy the event and we’re looking forward to a great time this year, as well.”
A ‘nite’ to remember
Who: Sequim Museum and Arts Center
What: MAC Nite, silent, live auctions and dinner
When: Saturday, April 12, social hour begins at 5 p.m. followed by dinner and the auction at 6:15 p.m.
Where: SunLand Golf and Country Club
Tickets: $50 per person or $500 for a corporate table of eight. They can be purchased by calling 681-2257.
