Saratoga Orchestra event is set for Sat. in Freeland

Whidbey’s Saratoga Orchestra is getting tropical with its annual fundraising event. This year’s theme is “Island Time — A Taste of the Tropics.”

The event is 4-8 p.m. Saturday, June 30 at the historic Freeland Hall.

Chef Gordon Stewart will present a menu of tropical flavors from the South Pacific and Caribbean with drinks from Spoiled Dog Winery and Double Bluff Brewing, and tropical mocktails complete with umbrellas will be served, according to a press release.

“Music featuring the Saratoga Strings and Steel Pan drumming by the Miho Takekawa duo will add to the tropical atmosphere while Jim “Conductor of Fun” Freeman will keep the evening’s festivities flowing,” the press release states.

Funds raised will further the mission and programming of Saratoga Orchestra. Island Thrift will match dollar-for-dollar all funds raised during the event, up to $15,000.

That’s a challenge that the Saratoga Orchestra will be working to meet, Larry Heidel, executive director said.

“What we want to do is entertain, educate and enrich Whidbey island through music,” Heidel said. “We do that for the community through music.”

The Saratoga Orchestra of Whidbey Island is a nonprofit organization formed in 2007. They typically perform five to six events a year, from concerts to children’s programming, Heidel said.

For tickets and more information, visit www.sowhidbey.com