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3| Impact
<br />Response 3: Describe how you will promote your event/activity/facility to attract tourists.*
<br />Response 2.1: Why would tourists travel to Kittitas County to attend your event/activity/facility?*
<br />Tourists will travel to Kittitas County for the Cider-N-Gold Festival because it offers an experience unlike anything else in Central
<br />Washington. This three-day event combines KEEN’s WindFall CiderFest with the Swauk Mining Association’s Pacific Northwest
<br />Miner’s Rally & Outdoor Show, blending craft cider, live music, food trucks, artisan vendors, and a festive tasting garden with
<br />hands-on gold panning, mineral exhibits, talks and presentations, kids’ activities, and outdoor heritage displays.
<br />The Miner’s Rally traditionally draws a diverse audience from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and beyond, uniting families,
<br />hobbyists, gem and mineral enthusiasts, and outdoor adventurers. By adding WindFall CiderFest, the festival broadens its
<br />appeal to cider lovers, foodies, and live music fans, creating a one-of-a-kind destination event. We are also working with local
<br />breweries, food trucks, and regional outdoor vendors, ensuring that visitors engage directly with local businesses and culture.
<br />We anticipate attracting 1,200–1,500 attendees in year one, with significant growth potential in future years. These visitors will
<br />generate a strong economic impact through hotel and RV camping stays, restaurant dining, shopping downtown, and on-site
<br />vendor purchases. With nothing else like it in Central Washington, the Cider-N-Gold Festival offers tourists a unique reason to
<br />visit Ellensburg: an authentic celebration of heritage, craft, and community.
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<br />Response 2.2: Describe the prior success of your event/activity/facility to attract tourists.*
<br />October 2025 will mark the inaugural Cider N’ Gold Festival. While this is our first year hosting the event, we anticipate strong
<br />tourist interest based on several key factors:
<br />Proven appeal of our past separate events: Both WindFall and PNW Rally have dedicated followers and we anticipate that by
<br />joining together, our reach will expand and our festival will become a new regional favorite.
<br />Community and regional partnerships: We are collaborating with local and regional businesses, including two local breweries,
<br />food vendors, outdoor recreation vendors, and gem and gold enthusiasts groups, which enhances the festival’s draw for visitors
<br />outside of Ellensburg.
<br />Diverse offerings to attract visitors: The festival will feature live music, presentations, kid-friendly activities, a beer and cider
<br />garden, raffle items, and on-site RV and camping accommodations, providing experiences that encourage overnight stays.
<br />Expected tourism impact: Based on comparable events and our community partnerships, we anticipate high attendance with
<br />positive economic impact through lodging, dining, and local retail.
<br />Though this is our first year, we are committed to providing a full report on attendance, tourist origin, and economic impact
<br />during the November LTAC committee presentations following the event.
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<br />Application Questions: Part 2
<br />To attract visitors to Kittitas County for the Cider-N-Gold Festival, we will implement a multi-platform marketing campaign
<br />targeting both regional and niche audiences. Our primary audience includes adults aged 21–55 who enjoy craft beverages, live
<br />music, and outdoor festivals, as well as families and hobbyists drawn to the miner’s rally and outdoor show.
<br />We’ll promote through a combination of digital advertising, regional event calendars, press releases, and social media
<br />campaigns aimed at Central Washington, Seattle, Spokane, and Portland. We will collaborate with participating cideries,
<br />breweries, outdoor and gold vendors, and tourism partners to amplify our reach. KEEN's and SMD's email lists, media
<br />connections, and strong community partnerships will further boost exposure.
<br />Branding and visuals will highlight the unique pairing of cider and gold, heritage and harvest, drawing in both loyal WindFall
<br />attendees and new audiences. As a weekend-long destination event, Cider-N-Gold will encourage overnight stays, boosting
<br />local lodging, dining, and retail activity. The festival is expected to generate significant tourism impact while promoting
<br />Ellensburg as a vibrant fall getaway.
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