The Ione Picnic Association, or IPA, has big plans for this year’s Ione Homecoming Fundraiser. All proceeds from the event will benefit the 132nd Ione Homecoming planned for May 9-11 in Howard Park in Downtown Ione. The Ione Homecoming is believed to be the largest continuous event in the region. For years now, the IPA’s spring fundraiser has become increasingly creative in it’s approach to highlighting local history.

This year, the Picnic Association will be showing “The Story of Seabiscuit”, a 1949 Technicolor film starring an adult Shirley Temple. The movie tells the story of the humble beginnings of the undersized, underdog colt who became one of the greatest racing thoroughbreds in horseracing history. How does this relate to local history, you ask? Seabiscuit was owned by Charles Howard, the wealthy automobile entrepreneur and horseracing fanatic who once owned land in what is now Howard Park near Ione.Ione, or the Rancho Arroyo Seco office. For more information, contact Regia (Ree-gee) Sargent at 304-4306.

Local mythology claims that Seabiscuit was buried on that very piece of property. The event takes place on Saturday, March 29 and tickets are 20 dollars. Each ticket will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Rancho Arroyo Seco company, current owners of the property. An author who is an expert on Seabiscuit will also be in attendance. The Picnic Association will be awarding one silent auction prize, a ticket to the Diamond Jubilee Celebration in Willits. Tickets are available at Ione Elementary School, Coldwell Banker in