Janine D’Agostini and Kara Adema are event co-organizers for El Dorado County Gold Week.
The success, camaraderie, organization and stability of Gold Week are generally attributed to
their kindness, and the way these two women interface with the group and with the community.
They are all about the success of the event, and what it will mean to our guests and to our
community.
Janine states, “It is very exciting to be a part of something so positive which is bringing our
County together with community pride, love, support and just a general feeling that we all part of
this family called El Dorado County.†“As Co-Organizer of this event, I feel tremendously
blessed to be joined by a small army of community leaders, businesses and volunteers who have
been hard at work for approximately three years planning for this event. We are honored to be
supported by our County Supervisors, community leaders and the community.â€
When Janine is asked how she became involved with El Dorado County Gold Week she says,
“When I was first asked to help out with organizing this event, I was not quite sure that I was
familiar enough with Gold Panning to take this event on. However, the aspect of Gold History
and the Gold Rush in El Dorado County made it much easier for me to get my head around and
my heart into the event. As I proceeded with fact finding and learning about the existing world
gold panning event, I had an “aha†moment and it became clear that it was a natural and obvious
fit for El Dorado County and that we could step it up with genuine El Dorado County
hospitality.†Janine is also the owner of the ”It’s One Fine Day Events” event planning
business, which she began in 2000. She has organized hundreds of events in the county. It is
natural that she is one of the event co-organizers.
Our organizing team quickly realized with this event we could “roll out the red carpet†for our
locals, the state, the country and the world and highlight all corners of this magnificent county.
This is an economic opportunity for the entire county. El Dorado County Gold Week has the
potential to be a signature event which can grow, branding EDC based on the history which
founded it.
“The energy blossoming with this event is truly amazing and the growing team of partners and
leadership stepping up to participate shows the community spirit of our county. The
overwhelming interest in this event is so exciting because it is bringing people from all over the
county together for one cause and it is a labor of love. I feel truly blessed being able to work
with and getting to know all the wonderful people with a common goal for the greater good.â€
Additionally, the entire county has become excited about their participation as we have dozens of
community partners creating their own signature events and attractions. Many of the county
museums and historical attractions are sprucing up to prepare for our guests.
Janine says, “One of the sweetest by-products gleaned from the planning of this event are the
partnerships developed and the community networking. This event has generated so much
positive energy, community pride and friendships; it has truly been a blessing to me!â€
To prepare for this event in September 2015, I was part of a U.S. Delegation of 12 who traveled
to Navelgas, Spain on a fact finding mission, as well as to represent the U.S. in the World Gold
Panning Championship. We learned how the event is run, the rules and guidelines of the
competition, learned to pan for gold, won a few awards, met people from all over the world, and
were honored to attend a board meeting with members from over 25 countries. It was an
incredible adventure and we were welcomed warmly by the lovey citizens of this enchanting
little town which hosted the 2015 event. We also cooked and hosted a meal for 400 of the
competitors. Our menu was chili and cornbread. Here is a fun fact: we all carried 4 to 6 bags of
Marie Callender’s corn bread mix in our suitcases to get it there. We had real team work! I was
honored to attend as well as bring along my 19 year old son, Johnny. He was an energetic and
engaged member of the team and he gained exposure and experience which will remain with him
all his life. “I learned so much about team work, responsibility, leadership and other cultures. It
was an honor to represent El Dorado County on a world platform,†stated Johnny D’Agostini.
Last but not least, Janine is the wife of the El Dorado County Sheriff John D’Agostini, and she is
very proud of him. Both Janine and our Sheriff are wonderful supporters of our County
community.
Janine states, “I am so proud to be part of the team to showcase El Dorado County and the
countless attractions and activities we have to offer. For a snapshot of what we are working on,
please visit our web site – www.eldoradogold2016.com
Janine D’Agostini
Owner, It’s One Fine Day Events
El Dorado Gold Event Co-Organizer