Oconeefest to raise funds for scholarships

Savory and sweet appetizers, a barbecue dinner, mouth-watering desserts, and cocktails are the ingredients for a fabulous community-wide party. But the signature event for the University of North Georgia's (UNG) Oconee Campus has a higher purpose.

Set for Oct. 21, Oconeefest is designed to raise money for Oconee County high school students to attend any of the five UNG campuses, Dr. Cyndee Perdue Moore, executive director of the Oconee Campus, said.

"These funds can be used for tuition, books, lab fees, or even a future study abroad," she said. "It is for whatever the students need."

Last year's virtual event raised more than $9,300. Those funds plus some from 2019 were distributed to five local high school students. They received $1,000 in 2021 and will be eligible for another $1,000 next year. Initial fundraising from sponsor support has already surpassed last year’s total.

"We would like to double the amount raised from our virtual efforts when we will return to an in-person event," Moore said.

The free event will be from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on the front lawn of the Oconee Campus. Moore said the public is invited but asked to RSVP to her at Cyndee.moore@ung.edu.

"We make this request to ensure we have enough food for all of the attendees," Moore said, adding all of the cuisine will come from local sources. "We are featuring our local restaurants and vendors because they have been good neighbors to UNG. We want to return that kindness."

This year's barbecue dinner will be catered by White Tiger, a staple in Athens, Georgia. After dinner coffee will be provided by the Joyrista's from Extra Special People's Java Joy.

Along with the feast, Oconeefest participants may browse auction items before local auctioneers Randy Wilkes and David Williams begin the live event. Auction items include:

• Gift cards from Empire South, 5&10, Mama Ning's Thai, Catch 22, Onward Reserve.
• Gift baskets from Chops & Hops, Walton EMC Gas, Walton EMC Electric, Georgia Skin Cancer & Aesthetic, and Butcher & Vine, BankSouth.
• Silver earrings from Jim Norton Jewelry.
• Framed Picasso scarf and membership to the Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation.
• One-year family membership to the High Museum.
• Four general admission passes to the Atlanta Zoo.
• Four day passes to the Atlanta Botanical Garden.
• Four passes to the Wild Animal Safari.
• Print of Watkinsville Skyline.
• Four tickets with planetarium access to Tellus Science Museum.
• Tickets to Gainesville Theatre Alliance and The Classic Center.
• Four-hour boat rental from Gainesville Marina

Guests will also hear from Dr. Bonita Jacobs, president of UNG, and a couple of UNG students. Nigel the Nighthawk will be on hand for photos.

"This event gives us a chance to showcase the campus," Moore said.

The presenting sponsor is Peach State Federal Credit Union. Platinum sponsors are Pinnacle Bank, Georgia United Credit Union, Orkin, and Oconee State Bank. Gold sponsors are Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center, Aramark, UNG College of Science & Mathematics, and UNG College of Arts & Letters. Silver sponsor is BankSouth while Resource Partners, Athens Ford, Northeast Sales Distributing, Krispy Kreme and Terrapin Beer are sponsors at the friend level.

For more information, to RSVP or how to become a sponsor or make a donation, email Moore at Cyndee.moore@ung.edu.