GALA EVENING CELEBRATES AMGEN TOUR OF CALIFORNIA PRO-CYCLING RACE IN SOLVANG ON FEBRUARY 20, 2009
Gourmet Dinner by Celebrity Chef Bradley Ogden, Foley Estates Wine Tasting & Dancing Featured
Solvang, Santa Ynez Valley, California— The public is invited to a Gala Evening on Friday, February 20, 2009, starting at 6:00pm after the Amgen Tour of California pro-cycling race at Root 246 at the Hotel Corque (formerly the Royal Scandinavian Inn), 400 Alisal Road, Solvang. According to Max Hanberg, owner of the Solvang Shoe Store and Carol Petersen, owner of Touch of Glass—the Volunteer Co-chairs of the Solvang Local Organizing Committee (LOC) of the 2009 Amgen Tour of California—this exciting Gala Evening will celebrate the cycling stars, crew, and volunteers who are participating in the Stage 6 Individual Time Trials that day in Solvang. Special guests from the Tour to be announced soon.
Gala volunteer committee co-chairs Linda Johansen and Mary Harris reveal that the event will feature a Wine Tasting Reception from 6:00-7:00pm by the Foley Wine Group, featuring local wines from their Foley, Firestone, and Lincourt vineyards; followed by a 3-course gourmet dinner created by Celebrity Chef Bradley Ogden of the hotel’s new Root 246 restaurant. A no-host bar will be offered throughout the evening, as well as live music and dancing to locally famous The House Red Band. There will be silent and live auctions, as well as a raffle for Giant Bicycles - TCR® ADVANCED 1 bike ($2,900 value) and other prizes. Raffle tickets are $5 each or five for $20 and are available now online http://www.tourofcalifornia-solvang.com/raffle.php or at the event (winner need not be present).
The ticket price for the Gala is $75 per person (including wine tasting, dinner, dancing) and reservations are first come, first seated. Reserved tables seating 10 guests (including two bottles of wine) can be purchased in advance for $1,000. Purchase tickets on-line now at http://www.tourofcalifornia-solvang.com/gala.php or send check payable to: City of Solvang, Attn: Gala to: 1644 Oak Street, Solvang, CA 93463. Tickets will be held at the door.
Proceeds from this event will help defray expenses of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for hosting the 2009 Amgen Tour of California Stage 6 Individual Time Trial. “We are so proud that Solvang and the Santa Ynez Valley have been chosen to host the Individual Time Trial for the third time,” said LOC Co-chair Petersen. Added LOC Co-chair Hanberg, “This Gala is a chance for residents and visitors to celebrate! Come join the excitement of race day in Solvang!”
The 2009 Amgen Tour of California presented by AEG is a 750-mile, nine-day stage race, considered to be the most important and popular race held on U.S. soil, taking the world’s top professional cycling teams from Sacramento to San Diego County from February 14-22, 2009. For general info visit www.amgentourofcalifornia.com or details about viewing packages, sponsorship, and maps visit www.tourofcalifornia-solvang.com