The Barbed Wire Ball is Back!

Saturday, September 24 - Sunday, September 25, 2022

~ Ekone's flagship fundraiser, back in person! ~

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We are so excited to welcome folks back to the Ranch! 

- Live Music - Barbecue  - Live Auction - Camp Out - Kids' Activities - Pony Time - Guided Canyon Hikes - Sharing Cake with Friends - (No Silent Auction this year though...)

And, very special this year...​

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YUMMY TUMMY CAFE Grand Opening!

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​We are SO excited to show off the new kitchen, and to cook beautiful meals for you - the BBQ this year will be at the new Yummy Tummy Cafe!

(Why did we build a new kitchen?  Glad you asked!  Rattlesnakes, frogs, skunks, and ten other reasons!)

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This year, we're approaching the Ball in the spirit of reciprocal generosity!  No tickets are required ~ we will do our best to share a beautiful ranch weekend with you ~ and we hope that you'll be generous with Ekone Ranch in the ways that you are able.  

(RSVP is still required.)

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We cannot wait to be together again soon!

Ekone is so important to so many kids, families, and adults, now and in the future.  Individual and collective health is fostered here.  Skills, nourishment, and a powerful work ethic are infused into the next generation of creative problem solvers here.  We need your support to ensure that it continues, and prepare Ekone to support healing and empowerment for thousands of kids and adults in the years to come.

Here are some video offerings from the olden days, and from our epic 2020 UnBarbed Wire Ball video series....

Event Details & FAQ

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• WHO: YOU! and 300ish other fabulous humans of all ages!

• WHAT: Ekone's annual family festival and fundraiser, back in person this year!

• WHEN: Gates open at 11am Saturday, September 24, and cleanup starts at noon on Sunday, September 25. Check out the Event Schedule, and come for all or part!

• WHERE: Ekone Ranch, 401 Ekone Rd, Goldendale, WA.  Click Here for directions (don't use your GPS)

• WHY: To celebrate and support the resilience of land and community! And have fun!

• HOW: Through the labor of 60 volunteers & staff, and the generosity of attendees! Want to help make the magic? Email michelle@ekone.org to volunteer, or Click Here to make a donation. 

• TICKETS: This year we are abandoning the concept of tickets, in favor of reciprocal generosity! Please come be our guest, and support the work of Ekone Ranch as generously as you are able.

• RSVP:  Is really important to help us plan!  Please, please, please RSVP HERE.

• LODGING: This is a camping event! We'll have two sweet camping areas set up, in the Aspen Grove and the Oak Meadows. The Bunkhouse is reserved for volunteers. Goldendale has two comfortable motels, the Ponderosa and Quality Inn, just 25 minutes away!

• FRIDAY: Is our setup day with the volunteer crew...we are unable to accommodate early arrivals, sorry! If you'd like to camp in the area on Friday night, check out Brooks Memorial State Park.

• DOGS:  Nope, sorry.  <3

• AUCTION: We're not having a silent auction this year, we just don't have staff capacity to manage those logistics. We WILL still have a live auction with about 20 rad items, including some sweet Ekone experiences available ONLY at the Ball. Have an item to contribute? Email shonie@ekone.org with your offer!

• REMOTE BIDS: Are welcome, just email shonie@ekone.org with your bid limit and we'll assign you a proxy bidder!

• CASH BAR & MERCH:  The beergarden will accept cash and card. Ekone merch will also be available for purchase.

• COVID: Everyone is required to show proof of a day-of negative test for entry. The event is mostly outdoors ~ indoor spaces include the Kitchen, where you will go to get food, and the Lodge, where the last two bands will play from 7-10:30pm, with doors open for ventilation and to share the sounds with anyone who prefers to stay outdoors. Masking and vaccination are encouraged but optional. Please do not come if you have any symptoms of illness or have recently been exposed to Covid.

• SCHEDULE OF EVENTS: Here It Is! 

• DESSERTS & MUSICAL SQUARES:  Can you bring a yummy dessert for our fun Musical Squares game? Let us know when you RSVP! (Read Here about why we're not calling this a "cakewalk" anymore, and for details about how we're Ekone-ifying this game!)

• KIDS:  Yes! Bring kids! They will have so much fun! Also please plan on actively supervising and parenting them...it's not camp.  :) 

• VOLUNTEER:  Being on the crew is so fun! Email michelle@ekone.org or let us know when you RSVP.

• DONATE:  Can you help us throw a great event, AND bring the Saddle Up! capital campaign to the FINISH LINE??  Click Here to make a tax-deductible gift now, and/or get ready to raise your paddle high when the time comes.