Moonlight On The Mountain: An Evening on Diablo

Mount Diablo doesn't seem like the place you'd find a sit-down dinner, live music, wine tasting and an auction.

Yet, that will be the location when Save Mount Diablo hosts its 11th annual Moonlight on the Mountain.

The fundraising event will be held from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 8, at China Wall on the mountain's Danville side, and Lamorindans will be in attendance.

Guests park their vehicles at Macedo Ranch and are driven up to the plateau with a view of the mountain's summit.

There will be a catered dinner, a silent auction, wine tasting, live music and displays from local artists.

In addition, the Mountain Star Awards will be given to people and organizations who have helped Save Mount Diablo's land preservation programs.

Those attending will also see the sunset with brilliant colors bouncing off Mount Diablo. Moments later, they will see the moon rise over the mountain.

"It's a fascinating, beautiful and unique experience," said Beryl Anderson, communications coordinator for Save Mount Diablo.

There is room for 500 people at the event and there are only about 30 spaces left. Tickets are $250 per individual.

It's Save Mount Diablo's only fund-raiser. Anderson said the organization expects to raise $200,000 this year.

Moonlight on the Mountain was started by Save Mount Diablo Executive Director Ron Brown. He got the idea after hosting a sunset dinner on the mountain for a dozen people.