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Paramount Theatre to auction $40,000 electric car package at 2017 Festival of Trees fundraising auction

RUTLAND—The Paramount Theatre announced that this year’s Festival of Trees, the theatre’s annual benefit fundraiser, will auction a Chevy Bolt EV package, the car maker’s version of the fully-electric Eco Car. This $40,000, 238-mile-per-charge automobile was donated to the Paramount in a partnership between Mark Alderman of Alderman’s Chevrolet and Philip and Marlene Allen of Same Sun of Vermont. The 2017 Bolt EV is a five-seat sedan with a comforts and convenience package including satellite XM radio and Onstar.

The car will include title, bumper-to-bumper, powertrain and battery warranties and two free maintenance visits. In addition, not only will the winner receive this $40,000 package but with no gas, oil or maintenance, a person who travels 15,000 miles per year will save approximately another $1,500 per year over the costs of driving a gasoline vehicle.

The Chevy Bolt EV also includes free installation of a charging station for your home.

Mark Alderman of Alderman’s Chevrolet commented, “The Bolt is one of the most amazing cars that I have ever driven. Our family is incredibly excited to be a part of a person winning such a game changing car, during such a great time of the year, at an event as important as the Festival of Tress supporting the beautiful and important Paramount Theatre. This will be a moment to remember!”

Philip Allen, board member of the Paramount and co-owner of Same Sun of Vermont, added, “Marlene and I own a Bolt EV. We bought our first hybrid in 2002 and after 15 years of Priuses and Volts — all fine cars — we now have the perfect vehicle … driving past all the gas stations and plugging in at home is a giant sea change.”

The 15th annual Festival of Trees will be held on Saturday, Dec. 2, with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. and the live auction commencing at 7 p.m. The Rutland region’s largest auction fundraiser features Auction Master Bob Prozzo and includes plentiful food from Roots the Restaurant, desserts from A Dozen Eggs, and a cash bar. Traditionally, the Paramount auctions 80 live auction items and 200 silent items. To accommodate excitement projected to be around the auction of the Chevy Bolt, the Paramount anticipates shortening the live auction this year to 65 items.

Co-chairman of Festival of Trees and former board president Laurie Mecier-Brochu commented, “We have for many years had a goal of presenting a vehicle on our stage at Festival of Trees and this year Alderman’s and Same Sun of Vermont have allowed us to achieve this goal. We are so excited and impressed to have this level of support from our community to ensure the continued success of the Paramount!”

Courtesy of Paramount Theatre
This Chevy Bolt will be auctioned at this year’s Festival of Trees, a fundraiser for the Paramount Theatre.

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