tofino's wickaninnish inn fund-raises the bar to $20,000 for Annual pacific rim whale festival

March 23, 2011

Tofino, BC (March 23, 2011) - Thursday, March 17th 2011 marked the Wickaninnish Inn’s 15th Annual Gala and Silent Auction, the largest and longest-running single fundraiser for the Pacific Rim Whale Festival.  100% of monies raised this evening, from the $110/person dinner and plethora of silent auction treasures, go directly toward the operation and marketing of the longest-running festival on Vancouver Island’s west coast.  All food and wine for this premiere West Coast event were donated to the Inn by generous suppliers, as were over 95 items for the successful silent auction.   This year’s charity evening hit two firsts:  All 50 seats sold out over one month prior to the event, and most importantly, over $20,000 was donated to the beloved festival, surpassing the $17,000 raised by the Inn in 2010.

The Inn has always been a strong advocate for local, not-for-profit events and festivals, but Managing Director, Charles McDiarmid lauded “overwhelming community support for this annual celebration of food and wine in honour of the Pacific Rim Whale Festival”.  Festival Coordinator, Jenn Machin thanked the eclectic yet enthusiastic group of diners and bidders, clad in evening wear ranging from cocktail dresses to down vests, for their support of the Festival.  Each of six courses, prepared by Chefs Nick Nutting and Matt Wilson, was paired with a BC wine;  the standout was the locally-caught Alder Smoked Sockeye Salmon, paired with the Poplar Grove Chardonnay.  Heavily bid-upon highlights of the silent auction included a custom trip to the Lennard Island Lighthouse with Remote Passages Marine Excursions and tickets to the popular Grazing in the Gardens celebration at the Tofino Food and Wine Festival.  

About the Wickaninnish Inn    www.wickinn.com  

Perched on the rugged west coast of Vancouver Island near Tofino, the Wickaninnish Inn has been a Relais & Châteaux member property since 1997. A year-round destination exemplifying "rustic elegance on nature's edge", the Inn is owned and managed by the McDiarmid family of Tofino, and is exclusively located on beautiful Chesterman Beach. All 75 oceanfront rooms and suites welcome guests with a gas fireplace, soaker tub, locally-created art, individual balcony and a beach or ocean viewscape.
The Wickaninnish Inn is home to Ancient Cedars Spa and The Pointe Restaurant, recognized with Wine Spectator Magazine’s Best Of Award of Excellence and voted "Best Resort Dining" from 2007-2010 at the Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards. Contact the Inn’s on property reservations team 24 hours a day by calling 1.800.333.4604 or visiting www.wickinn.com.


About the Pacific Rim Whale Festival    www.pacificrimwhalefestival.com

The longest-running festival on Vancouver Island’s west coast celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2011.  Created to honour the annual spring migration of over 20,000 Grey Whales past the shores of Tofino and Ucluelet, the Pacific Rim Whale Festival has grown to include over 75 events in both communities and the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, including educational walks and talks, children’s entertainment, culinary celebrations and more.  The Festival is a registered society, organized by a volunteer Board of Directors and a year-round coordinator.

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For editorial and/or photographic information please contact
Jane Ince at 604.987.6047 or jane@wickinn.com