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5| Future Plans
<br />Response 5: Please explain what plans exist to allow this project to become self-sustaining. Include any plans for ticket sales,
<br />event sponsors, and other cost-recovery models.*
<br />The Cider-N-Gold Festival is designed to become a sustainable annual event that generates its own revenue while continuing to
<br />deliver strong cultural, educational, and economic benefits to Kittitas County. Ticket Sales: Friday night’s WindFall CiderFest is a
<br />ticketed event that includes a commemorative glass, cider tasting scrips, and live music. Saturday & Sunday evening concerts
<br />will also be ticketed, creating a dependable revenue stream that can expand as attendance grows. Sponsorships: The festival
<br />offers tiered sponsorship packages ranging from $750–$5,000+, providing businesses with visibility on marketing materials,
<br />stage recognition, and booth opportunities. We have already begun engaging regional sponsors and will expand this program
<br />each year. Vendor Fees: Food trucks, artisan vendors, and cideries are charged vendor fees (booth space, beverage garden
<br />presence), which help offset infrastructure and operational costs. Partnership Cost-Sharing: KEEN and the Swauk Mining
<br />District share responsibilities and expenses. KEEN focuses on cider tastings, music, and youth education outreach, while SMD
<br />manages venue, security, camping, and vendor coordination. This division reduces costs for each organization while maximizing
<br />audience reach. Community Growth: As awareness grows, we anticipate the festival will attract larger audiences (1,200–1,500
<br />attendees in year one, with significant growth potential). Increased attendance will strengthen ticket revenue, vendor interest,
<br />and sponsor appeal, helping the event pay for itself. KEEN’s Track Record: KEEN has a proven history of organizing successful
<br />community events and fundraisers. WindFall, which KEEN has hosted for several years, consistently drew large crowds,
<br />attracted cideries from across the region, and raised critical funds for outdoor education programs. KEEN’s 25+ years of
<br />experience running outdoor education programs, habitat projects, and public events demonstrates its capacity to manage
<br />logistics, fundraising, and community engagement at scale. This track record provides a strong foundation for ensuring that the
<br />Cider-N-Gold Festival can grow into a self-sustaining annual tradition. In future years, both organizations are committed to
<br />reinvesting proceeds to improve infrastructure, enhance programming, and expand marketing reach. This careful planning
<br />ensures the Cider-N-Gold Festival will not only sustain itself, but thrive as a beloved event that supports the Kittitas County
<br />Economy.
<br />2500 character limit
<br />Application Questions: Part 4
<br />6| Additional Information
<br />Response 6.1: Provide any additional information which will assist the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee in evaluating your
<br />project and its benefit to tourism.
<br />The Cider-N-Gold Festival represents a rare opportunity to launch a new signature event for Central Washington that combines
<br />the strengths of two established nonprofits: KEEN, with over 25 years of outdoor education and community programming, and
<br />the Swauk Mining District, with more than 50 years of preserving and celebrating mining heritage. By aligning KEEN’s
<br />successful WindFall CiderFest with the long-running Pacific Northwest Miner’s Rally & Outdoor Show, the event leverages
<br />trusted community brands while offering visitors a fresh, one-of-a-kind experience.
<br />This partnership creates broad tourism appeal by blending craft cider, beer, and food with music, mining heritage, outdoor
<br />vendors, camping, kids’ activities, and educational talks. It brings together audiences who might not otherwise overlap—cider
<br />enthusiasts, history buffs, gem and mineral hobbyists, families, and outdoor recreation fans—resulting in a larger, more diverse
<br />draw.
<br />We anticipate 1,200–1,500 attendees in the first year, with a regional reach extending to Seattle, Spokane, Portland, and Idaho.
<br />The festival is intentionally designed to encourage overnight stays by offering on-site camping and by promoting lodging,
<br />restaurants, and businesses across Kittitas County. This creates significant economic benefits through hotel occupancy, dining,
<br />shopping, and downtown exploration.
<br />The Lodging Tax Advisory Committee’s investment in this inaugural year will help establish a sustainable, repeatable event with
<br />long-term tourism benefits. With KEEN’s proven record of hosting successful community fundraisers and SMD’s established rally
<br />audience, the Cider-N-Gold Festival has the foundation to grow into a premier fall destination event that showcases the best of
<br />Ellensburg and Kittitas County.
<br />2500 character limit
<br />Response 6.2: You may upload any supporting documents such as graphs, images, diagrams, marketing materials, etc.
<br />You are allowed to submit up to 3 single page (US Letter) documents in JPG, PDF or TIFF format
<br />PNW Miners Rally & WindFall 11x17 (3).pdf 1.89MB
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