Wedding venues are now a huge attraction
Fall is a busy time here in the Lost Sierra. This time of year offers a variety of opportunities for businesses and organizations to showcase their services and activities to folks who want to visit the area after the crowds return home for school and work. Lost Sierra Chamber members say September was one of the busiest in years, and October is shaping up to be the same.
Wedding venues in the Lost Sierra have been booked solid on weekends — even through September and into October. Many brides are now booking weekdays. Not surprisingly, with so many venues to choose from throughout the county — Plumas currently sits at number 11 in the state for marriage licenses.
More and more folks are discovering the Lost Sierra for other reasons as well. Activities in the eastern end of the county like the Grave Occasion, the Sierra Valley Art + Ag Trail and an afternoon concert in the Old Town Portola Event Center are giving visitors and locals alike more reasons to get out and about. And, who needs Burning Man when you have the Lost Sierra Hoedown in your backyard?
Additionally, businesses have always used this quieter time to think outside the box and market to their fellow business members by sponsoring golf tournaments, chamber mixers, barbeques and customer appreciation days. Feather River Food Co-op is having their Community Appreciation Day this Saturday, Oct. 5, and Quincy Natural Foods is having theirs on Saturday, Oct. 19.
And finally, fall brings with it a kaleidoscope of colors. The trees are already turning and retail shops are reflecting the changing seasons in their merchandise offerings. It’s time to start thinking about holiday gatherings. Shopping locally is just the ticket to give the holidays that “back-home” feeling. Stop by any of the little red shops in Graeagle and they will help you find just what you are looking for.
It’s time to focus on all things Halloween! The Western Pacific Railroad Museum is gearing up for their second annual Pumpkin Patch Express, Oct. 14, 15, 21 and 22. The museum opens at 10 a.m. with trains departing hourly between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. and special night trains on Saturday, Oct. 14 and 21. They will have a pumpkin patch, family-friendly haunted house and food available for purchase.
October would not be complete without a little bloodletting. The EPHC Auxiliary is getting a jump on things with a blood drive on Oct. 11, at the Catholic Community Hall on 100 South Pine St. in Portola. Earn bonus Hero Reward Points to redeem a $10 Amazon.com eGift certificate at BloodHero.com, and a raffle ticket for a chance to win two tickets to a San Francisco 49ers football game. Not even Dracula can beat this deal!
Are you planning a holiday party? Graeagle Meadows is one of many Lost Sierra Chamber members and venues set up to host your event. If you book your party with them by Nov. 1, you will receive a complimentary champagne toast. Give Lost Sierra Chamber of Commerce a call and we will help you find the perfect venue for your party or event.
Last but not least, LSCC has started planning the traditional outdoor Portola Christmas event in December. As the saying goes, “It takes a village … ” This popular community event is a huge undertaking. LSCC is pleased to partner with the City of Portola, local merchants and service groups to make this event possible. We are currently looking for community partners and volunteers to help us coordinate the many facets of this event which range from securing vendors for the marketplace, parade coordination, holiday window displays, entertainment, marketing and other event logistics. Please give us a call at (530) 832-6811, share your ideas and help us make this a December to remember.
