The 7th Annual A Toast To Music is A Toast to El Cajon!
 The El Cajon CDC is proud to announce the success of the 7th annual A Toast to Music fundraiser! After raising more than $40,000, this year’s fundraiser was a big success as witnessed by all the smiles and laughter resonating from the attendees. Thank you to everyone who participated in this very important event. Remember that all of the money raised will go directly back into the revitalization of Downtown El Cajon.
The day of the event
On May 31st, the plaza of the East County Performing Arts Center transformed into a wine, beer, and food tasting event that boasted of beautiful décor and hundreds of Downtown El Cajon supporters. Before guests arrived some of the attendees purchased tickets to attend a Premiere Tasting that was held in the foyer of the Arts Center. Participants tasted premiere wines that were hand selected from the private cellar of Wing Tam, owner of Kips Café. Paired with each wine were delicious appetizers prepared by Executive Chef, Paul Schwab, of Sycuan Resort and Casino.
Beginning at 5:00 pm, guests arrived and mixed and mingled to the jazzy sounds of Mirage. Attendees enjoyed food and wines from 30 wineries and restaurants. Wine came from vineyards as far away as Italy to vineyards as close as Temecula and Escondido.
Aside from drinking great wine and beer, and tasting delicious food, guests were invited to enter raffles to win fun prizes such as a brand new Taylor Guitar! Throughout the night bids were taken for our silent auction, and winners took away great prizes such as wine tasting vouchers, gift certificates to local businesses, art paintings and beautiful jewelry. With the  combination of guests’ winnings, the complimentary wine glass and goody bags given away to each guest at the end of the night, no one left this fundraiser empty-handed!
Thank you to
We would especially like to thank event chairman, Dominic “Dick” Colangelo for his leadership and ongoing dedication and support year after year; our 50 volunteers who committed more than 200 hours to this event; each winery, brewery, and restaurant for their voluntary participation; staff of Kathy Wright & Co. for their beautiful set-up and décor; Josh Breslow and Robert Rael for the pictures they took at the event and of course, all of our sponsors, for their continual support and dedication to the revitalization of Downtown El Cajon! |
