The Ely Stage Stop & Country Museum is host to the California Old Time Fiddlers’ Association on the first Sunday of each month. In April, the Stage Stop held its first Marketplace in conjunction with that month’s Fiddlers’ Jam and it was a rousing success. Eleven vendors and 250 attendees enjoyed music, refreshments, and the opportunity to browse and purchase the wares of local craftsmen and artists. The next Ely Marketplace will be held during the October 4 Fiddlers’ Jam. In addition to local arts and crafts, food will be available for purchase on site from the Cactus Grill in Clearlake.
Donations made during the Fiddlers’ Jams typically benefit both the Ely Stage Stop and the Old Time Fiddlers Association District 10. This month all donations made during the jam will benefit Valley Fire victims through the Lake County Wildfire Relief Fund created by North Coast Opportunities (NCO) and MendoLake Credit Union (MLCU). Money raised through the rental of vendor spaces for the Marketplace that day will also be donated by Ely.
NCO is the community action agency for Lake and Mendocino counties. The Lake County Wildfire Relief Fund was officially set up at MLCU by NCO as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. 100% of funds raised will go directly to fire victims. NCO and MLCU donate all staff time and administrative fees.
You can donate in advance of the Marketplace event by checks payable to NCO (North Coast Opportunities) with “Lake County fire relief” in the notes field and mail to Ely Fundraiser, 8420 Duffy Court, Kelseyville, CA 95451. If you would like your donation acknowledged during the festivities on October 4 please note that on your envelope.
Join the museum volunteers and docents for a fun-filled day of music, food and local crafts supporting our friends and neighbors in their time of need. The Marketplace, just outside the Ely barn, will run from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Musicians will jam from noon to 2:30 p.m. inside the barn.
The Lake County Historical Society’s Ely Stage Stop & Country Museum is located at 9921 Hwy 281 (Soda Bay Road), Kelseyville, California. For more information, check out www.elystagestop.com, www.lakecountyhistory.org, www.facebook.com/elystagestop, or call 707.533.9990, during museum hours, Saturdays and Sundays from 11am to 3pm.
Dan and Doris Cutter shown in their Wildcat Bees Honey and Bees tent at the first Ely Marketplace held in April 2015. Photo by Greg Blinn.