Record night at Aquarium boosts Soberanes Fire relief dramatically.

Monterey Bay Aquarium has hosted some big night events.

But none bigger than last night.

Aquarium officials report nearly 2,800 tri-county residents took advantage of waived admission.

Another 225 volunteers associated with the event—chefs, community volunteers (including Salinas Downtown Rotary, Monterey Cannery Row Rotary Club, Monterey High students, and MBA staff who were not working but who volunteered their time). 

Twenty-five different chefs dished snacks while wine flowed from Bernardus, Mercy and J. Lohr along with beer from North Coast Brewing Company.

Among the many donations: Coffee from Carmel Valley Roasting Company and apple juice from US Foods.

Along with the preceding farmers market at The Wharf Marketplace, cash donations from Salinas Valley agricultural companies, the Soberanes Fire Benefit at the Aquarium and direct donations to Community Foundation at the event generated roughly $180,000.

The Aquarium event alone drummed up more than $110,000.

All told the Community Foundation’s Soberanes Fire Fund essentially doubled in a weekend, to a total of around $400,000.

There will be an online auction starting Sept. 1 calling Bidding for Good. More on that soon.