CARRABASSETT VALLEY — The Sugarloaf Charity Summit Gala will be making a return on Saturday, Jan. 28, after a two-year absence due to COVID-19 restrictions. The event promises drinks, hors d’oeuvres and live music from Dyer and the Dreammakers.

Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. and the event will be held at the King Pine Room at the Sugarloaf Base Lodge at 5012 Access Road in Carrabassett Valley. The event will begin at 6:30 p.m. with programs, followed by awards, sponsorship recognition and survivor recognition. A live auction will be held at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets for the Gala can be purchased at sugarloafcharitysummit.org/charity-gala. Raffle tickets will also be made available for a chance to win a two-year season pass to Sugarloaf. The winner will be drawn at the Gala and tickets can be purchased in person at Mountainside Real Estate at 5092 Access Road in Carrabassett Valley leading up to and on Jan. 28.

For the previous two years, Sugarloaf Charity Summit livestreamed their programing and auctions online, but now that COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted, the Gala is set to return in full force.

“It is exciting to get everyone back together to celebrate and raise money towards a great cause in person again,” Sugarloaf Communications Manager Charli Sayward said.

Kicking off the Charity Summit weekend, Sugarloaf will be hosting their first ever Ugly Sweater Party at the Widowmaker Restaurant at Sugarloaf on Friday, Jan. 27, from 3 to 6 p.m. All ages are welcome, and a $5 donation at the door is recommended to enter the ugly sweater contest.

According to Sayward, the Charity Summit is Sugarloaf’s premier fundraising event that raises money to fight cancer.

The three beneficiaries are Martha B. Webber Breast Care Center, the Maine Cancer Foundation, and the Dempsey Center, all of which provide support and services for people impacted by cancer in Maine. More information about their beneficiaries can be found at their website sugarloafcharitysummit.org/beneficiaries.

Also occurring on Jan. 28 will be the Charity Challenge. Adult participants must fundraise $150 to receive a Charity Challenge wearable identifier that will serve as admission to all Charity Challenge events as well as provide eligibility for different discounts/promotions at numerous local businesses during the weekend of the Summit. Fundraisers can participate individually or as a team. Each member of a team must raise $150 to qualify.

After the $150 is raised, participants will receive additional rewards for every increment of $500 they raise for the charity summit. The different tiers are as follows:

•  $500: A $25 Sugarloaf Gift Card and three Sugarloaf Charity Summit raffle tickets.

•  $1,000: One-of-a-kind Charity Summit commemorative logo items, and one free lift ticket for the 2023/2024 season [valid through May 31, 2024].

•  $1,500: Two tickets to the 2023 Charity Summit Gala on Jan. 28.

•  $2,000: An exclusive Sugarloaf Sea Bag Duffle.

•  $3,000: Private first tracks with ski patrol and breakfast at Bullwinkle’s for Jan. 28. [This offer is only valid for the first 20 individuals who reach this goal. Each recipient will also be able to bring a guest.]

The top individual fundraiser will receive a $750 gift card to Downhill Supply Company, while the top team fundraisers will receive the exclusive opportunity of first tracks with ski patrol for a group of up to 10 people at Sugarloaf, where they will head up on the lifts at 6:45 a.m. This trip will be available any day with advanced notice and is valid through the spring of 2023.

Kids and teens can participate with a different set of rewards. They must raise a minimum of $50 to be eligible for rewards, with the top individual fundraiser receiving a Sugarloaf Charity Challenge hat for $300.

Team youth fundraisers can earn prizes such as a pizza party and a free sugar rush at 88 donuts.

The top youth team fundraisers will receive a private movie theatre party at the Narrow-Gauge Cinemas in Farmington.  The party will include private movie theatre rental, a movie of their choice, as well as popcorn and a drink for all the participants. [The winning team will need to reserve the space in advance with the manager at the movie theatre.]

Winners will be announced on Sunday, Jan. 29. For more information on Sugarloaf Charity Summit, please visit their website at sugarloafcharitysummit.org. If you wish to contact them, their email is charitysummit@sugarloaf.com.