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Acadia National Park
Friends of Acadia’s
34th Annual Benefit & Auction
Thank you to all who came out to celebrate Acadia National Park and raise critical funds for conservation projects!
Annual Benefit
Friends of Acadia’s
Oh, What a Night!
It was great fun to see veteran friends and so many new faces this year at the 34th Annual Benefit. The party was a true celebration of a park that gives so much to so many!
More than 475 people joined together under the tents at the Asticou to bid on 85 silent auction items including original art, unique experiences, one-of-kind jewelry, and beautiful items for the home. Following an elegant dinner served by the Asticou, auctioneer Lydia Fenet led a fun and spirited live auction starting with a wonderful spider monkey sculpture made by celebrated artist Dan Falt, followed by a piece by longtime benefit auction donor Richard Estes, and other wonderful items. The live auction closed with a fun outing with Martha Stewart on Tim Harrington’s wonderful yacht Gratitude.
Bob Bell, Martha Stewart, Gary Lickle, Betsy Mills, Lynne Wheat, Michele Henry, Tim Harrington, and Gail Clark enjoy the festivities at the 2023 Friends of Acadia Annual Benefit on Saturday, August 12, 2023. (Photo by Ashley Anderson/Friends of Acadia)
The paddle raise for the new boat for the park set a new record for the auction. The evening ended with dancing to the Jon Bates Band.
Thank you to everyone who attended, the wonderful benefit committee, to Chilton Trust Company—our presenting sponsor for the 10th year in a row, and all the businesses, artists, craftspeople and individuals who donated amazing auction items to help our beloved park.
Friends of Acadia Annual Benefit guests enjoy the oyster bar during the event’s silent auction portionof the evening at the Asticou Inn in Northeast Harbor on August 14. (Photo by Julia Walker Thomas/Friends of Acadia)
Paddle Raise: A New Boat for Acadia!
Acadia National Park Will Get a New Boat Thanks to Patrons at the 34th Annual Friends of Acadia Benefit!
The Paddle Raise was a huge success! Lynne Wheat and Thomas Peterffy of Interactive Brokers led the paddle raise with an opening bid of $100,000. Nearly 100 additional paddles were raised after that making the purchase of the boat a reality.
The boat is a $375,000 Muson 26’ PackMan Landing Craft and it will enable to park to preserve 64 miles of coastline and over 180 conservation easements, most on offshore islands.
Benefit Co-Chair Laura Katona, Friends of Acadia’s Special Events Coordinator Jen Byer, and Benefit Co-Chair Kathleen McIntyre (Photo by Julia Walker Thomas/Friends of Acadia)
Thank you!
Great appreciation goes to Chilton Trust Company and all Patrons and volunteers who are dedicated to this beloved event. The Friends of Acadia’s Benefit Committee was led this year by Laura Katona and Kathleen McIntyre. Thank you also to our media sponsor Decor Maine.
Our greatest appreciation to the Patrons of the Friends of Acadia Benefit. Their support makes our special event possible! The Patron Program is a vital source of funding for Friends of Acadia’s conservation work in Acadia, from trails and carriage roads, to youth programs and resiliency to climate change.
Photos from the 34th Annual Benefit
