SACRAMENTO, CA — The rain paused just long enough for over 80,000 people to participate in Sacramento Museum Day put on by the Sacramento Association of Museums and the Sacramento Convention and Visitors Bureau. This was the largest-ever attendance recorded for the event, which celebrated its 11^th year.

The event took place on Saturday, February 7, 2009, when 26 Sacramento regional museums opened their doors for free to the public, offering a wide range of art, history, science, and even wildlife, for people of all ages.

With the depressing economical news coming out each day, comments received throughout Museum Day indicated that residents of the Sacramento region were especially appreciative for the opportunity to tour the different museums – for free! Much of the increased participation with the event was due to Umpqua Bank, which for the second year sponsored the event, allowing the event coordinators to provide convenient and frequent free shuttle bus service to most of the participating museums.

The Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau staffed shuttle buses with volunteer Step-On Guides, providing valuable assistance to the guests throughout the day. Additional support came from KVIE Public Television, Capital Public Radio, Outword Magazine, New10’s Sac & Co., and Sacramento Regional Transit, all of which graciously helped to promote the event.

“This year it is especially gratifying to see the community’s record participation in Museum Day,” said Sacramento Association of Museums Chairman, Paul Hammond. “Since 1999, when this annual event debuted, over 687,000 guests have enjoyed Sacramento Museum Day. We are pleased to know that the Sacramento regional museums are valued so highly.”

Since 1999, Sacramento Museum Day has been presented the first Saturday of February by the Sacramento Association of Museums and the Sacramento Convention and Visitors Bureau.