TROLLY FOLLIES TO BATTLE POLIO RETURNS TO ASTORIA

the popular and fun annual Trolley Follies returns Thursday, August 25. A limited number of tickets are available for purchase at the Astoria Bicentennial Celebration Office located at 101 ­ 15th Street docks on the River Walk. The cost is $20 per ticket to be part of this festive summer fundraiser benefitting Rotary’s END POLIO NOW campaign. The fun begins at 6:15 pm with participants boarding at either Baked Alaska (12th Street Docks) or at 6:30 at Columbia River Maritime Museum. Folly goers planning to begin their evening at Baked Alaska can park at the Astoria Bicentennial Celebration office located at 101 ­ 15th Street Docks (old Englund Marine building), which is just a short walk to the first trolley stop.


The Trolley Follies has a strong fan base that purchases their tickets early for an evening of club-hopping along the Trolley route. This year the evening ends at Fort George Brewery and Public House where an auction and games take place in their newly refurbished tasting room and brewing facility. “Our goal is to raise $2,000 for the END POLIO NOW campaign,” explained Dan Bartlett, Astoria Rotary Chair of PolioPlus Program.


Originally produced by Astoria’s chapter of America Red Cross, the event has been adopted by Astoria Rotary to meet its annual fundraising goal that supports eradication of Polio world-wide. Rotary clubs here and around the world are determined to do whatever it takes to achieve a world free of the crippling disease polio. A major part of that effort is to raise $200 million in response to a challenge grant of $355 million from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. That may seem a daunting task, but Rotary’s track record shows it can be done with perseverance and hard work. Since launching its landmark PolioPlus Program in 1985, the volunteer service organization already has contributed more than $800 million to the cause, not to mention countless volunteer hours logged by Rotary members.


2011 Sponsors of the Astoria Rotary Trolley Follies are: Fort George Brewery and Public House, Baked Alaska Restaurant, Rogue Ales Public House, Hazel’s, Wet Dog Cafe, Columbia River Maritime Museum and Astoria Bicentennial Celebration.


TROLLEY FOLLIES SCHEDULE
Thursday, August 25


Participants can choose one of two tours when purchasing tickets:
Group Polio Tour
6:15 pm Baked Alaska Restaurant
7:15 Ride Trolley to Rogue Ales
8:30 Load Trolley
8:45 Ride Trolley to 14th Street Shelter
8:55 Walk to Fort George


Group Plus Tour
6:30 pm Columbia River Maritime Museum
6:40 Ride Trolley to Wed Dog
7:45 Ride Trolley to 14th Street Shelter
7:50 Walk to Hazel’s
8:50 Walk to Fort George