Hundreds gather for Land Trust’s “Big Sky” fundraiser

The Land Trust community, always up for a challenge, raised more than $275,000.

A crowd of 350 people gathered July 27 for the Vashon-Maury Island Land Trust’s annual “Party Under the Big Sky.”

In the Matsuda Farm pasture, partygoers ate delicious food provided by Gravy, grooved to the tunes of St. Ophelia, and emcees Kevin Joy and Martha Enson worked their magic throughout the program.

The Land Trust’s new executive director, Theron Shaw, challenged the community to work towards a vision of Vashon as an ecological stronghold in the face of climate change.

The Land Trust community, always up for a challenge, raised more than $275,000 towards this ambitious goal of shoring up conservation, stewardship, and local food systems here on the island.

The event wrapped up with a Land Trust tradition: Pies of all shapes, sizes and flavors provided by the island’s most talented home bakers, and a generous donation from Vashon Baking Company.

Tracy Wayman smiles while holding a pie at Big Sky. (Sam Van Fleet photo)

Tracy Wayman smiles while holding a pie at Big Sky. (Sam Van Fleet photo)

St. Ophelia performs at Big Sky. (Sam Van Fleet photo)

St. Ophelia performs at Big Sky. (Sam Van Fleet photo)