PPAF: Natalie, Congratulations! How did you first hear about the raffle?
Natalie: So I’ve been going to Prescott Park for years as a kid with my grandparents. When I came to see Legally Blonde with some family, originally, I thought that I was donating, like at the gates in the front. I saw the raffle and I screenshotted the info, but I hadn’t bought my ticket that night.
PPAF: That’s so funny. So you saw that there was a raffle going on, but thought you were making a donation after seeing Legally Blonde?! I’m sure when our Director of Development, Lee called to share the news that you won the raffle, you were suspicious since you didn’t realize you had bought a ticket!
Natalie: Yeah, I was so shocked. I thought it was a scam at first. Truthfully.
PPAF: I would too!
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Natalie first learned about the raffle while attending our 2024 Summer Musical, Legally Blonde, presented by Service Credit Union. At the time, she believed her contribution was simply a donation to support the Festival, inspired by her lifelong love for Prescott Park Arts Festival. She donated without expecting anything in return. So, when an email notification arrived announcing her win, Natalie was very confused, thinking it might be a scam. After verifying the message and talking to our Director of Development Lee Frank, she realized her donation had also entered her into the annual Key Auto Group Pick Your Path Raffle. With this information, Natalie chose to claim the cash prize and immediately save it all for the future.
Hearing Natalie’s story brought back a flood of her cherished childhood memories with the Festival. She shared how her love for the arts began with piano lessons and choir recitals. She reminisced on the memories of her grandparents sharing this Portsmouth gem with her. When we asked Natalie about how she found us, she mentioned how coming to PPAF was a tradition for her and her grandparents and now she is continuing that tradition with her own family.
The Arts Festival is a joyous part in many of our New Englander’s family traditions, and it inspires us to continue serving our community. Summers at Prescott Park Arts Festival gave Natalie great joy as a child, and she’s now working to keep that tradition alive with her own young family. Her first-ever Festival experience was our 2005 production of The Wizard of Oz, starting a tradition that’s lasted nearly two decades.
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PPAF: What are some of your favorite memories of coming to the Arts Festival?
Natalie: I remember, my grandparents and all my siblings going almost every summer to the park. I’m trying to do that now on my own, as a tradition. Mary Poppins is the show that I won’t ever forget.
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Natalie’s “feel-good” story is a reminder of the community connections we strive to create at Prescott Park Arts Festival. She represents so many other community members who love the Festival and participate in our events every season. She continues to support us, both by attending shows and contributing through donations. Our received donations make the magic of the Festival and strong community connections possible.
One of the most important takeaways from Natalie’s experience is her appreciation for our “recommended donation” policy, which ensures the arts remain accessible to everyone. This policy is at the heart of what makes Prescott Park Arts Festival so special. We’re grateful to community members like Natalie, and those in the business community like Key Auto Group, whose support exemplifies the true meaning of the Festival.
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As we say goodbye to our 2024 season, we look forward to returning to the park with you all,
our beloved Seacoast community in 2025!
Everyone has a home here. ♥️
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The winning ticket was selected from our giant raffle drum on stage during the final concert of the season, Brandy Clark with Wyn and the White Light on August 31.
