San Francisco’s Uke-a-Thon honors the 100th anniversary of the 1915 Panama Pacific International Exposition
![Julie Ratner, with daughter Ellianah](https://i0.wp.com/ukulelemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Julie-Ratner-with-daughter-Ellianah.jpg?fit=2325%2C1463&ssl=1)
February 20th marked the 100th anniversary of the 1915 Panama Pacific International Exposition (PPIE),the event that first brought uke mania to the mainland. To honor the occasion, San Francisco hosted a Uke-a-Thon on February 21, 2015 at the Palace of Fine Arts.
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Our photographer Erin Conger was there to capture all the fun.
![Panama-Pacific International Exposition Poster Panama-Pacific International Exposition 2015 Poster](https://i0.wp.com/ukulelemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Uke-a-thon-SF-2015-Poster.jpeg?w=293&h=439&ssl=1)
Panama-Pacific International Exposition 2015 Poster
![Julie Ratner, with daughter Ellianah Julie Ratner, with daughter Ellianah](https://i0.wp.com/ukulelemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Julie-Ratner-with-daughter-Ellianah.jpg?w=698&h=439&ssl=1)
Julie Ratner, with daughter Ellianah
![The Uke-a-Thon took place in and around the Palace of Fine Arts rotunda in San Francisco, the site of the 1915 PPIE The Uke-a-Thon took place in and around the Palace of Fine Arts rotunda in San Francisco, the site of the 1915 PPIE](https://i0.wp.com/ukulelemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/The-Uke-a-Thon-took-place-in-and-around-the-Palace-of-Fine-Arts-rotunda-in-San-Francisco-the-site-of-the-1915-PPIE.jpg?w=287&h=439&ssl=1)
The Uke-a-Thon took place in and around the Palace of Fine Arts rotunda in San Francisco, the site of the 1915 PPIE
![Traditional Hawaiian dancers Traditional Hawaiian dancers](https://i0.wp.com/ukulelemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Traditional-Hawaiian-dancers.jpg?w=436&h=235&ssl=1)
Traditional Hawaiian dancers
![Members of Mad Mama and the Bona Fide Few play a song with some slide. Members of Mad Mama and the Bona Fide Few play a song with some slide.](https://i0.wp.com/ukulelemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Passing-by-Mad-Mama-who-called-out-her-chords-as-she-played-Jex-Nguyen-strummed-along.jpg?w=436&h=370&ssl=1)
Members of Mad Mama and the Bona Fide Few play a song with some slide.
![Dale Evje, uke enthusiast, shows off the hat she made Dale Evje, uke enthusiast, shows off the hat she made](https://i0.wp.com/ukulelemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Dale-Evje-uke-enthusiast-shows-off-the-hat-she-made.jpg?w=436&h=397&ssl=1)
Dale Evje, uke enthusiast, shows off the hat she made
![Newbie John Gardiner strums away Newbie John Gardiner strums away](https://i0.wp.com/ukulelemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Newbie-John-Gardiner-strums-away.jpg?w=846&h=1010&ssl=1)
Newbie John Gardiner strums away
![3/4 of the Old Broads uke quartet 3/4 of the Old Broads uke quartet](https://i0.wp.com/ukulelemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/34-of-the-Old-Broads-uke-quartet.jpg?w=328&h=298&ssl=1)
3/4 of the Old Broads uke quartet
![Vanessa plays in the uke ensemble Friends of Sweet Donna Vanessa plays in the uke ensemble Friends of Sweet Donna](https://i0.wp.com/ukulelemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Vanessa-plays-in-the-uke-ensemble-Friends-of-Sweet-Donna.jpg?w=256&h=298&ssl=1)
Vanessa plays in the uke ensemble Friends of Sweet Donna
![No one is too young to be a uke lover No one is too young to be a uke lover.jpg](https://i0.wp.com/ukulelemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/No-one-is-too-young-to-be-a-uke-lover.jpg?w=229&h=298&ssl=1)
No one is too young to be a uke lover.jpg
![San Francisco-based uker Erich Sylvesterplays a tune San Francisco-based uker Erich Sylvesterplays a tune](https://i0.wp.com/ukulelemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/San-Francisco-based-uker-Erich-Sylvesterplays-a-tune.jpg?w=240&h=298&ssl=1)
San Francisco-based uker Erich Sylvesterplays a tune
![Joe Sloan plays a tune Joe Sloan plays a tune](https://i0.wp.com/ukulelemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Joe-Sloan-plays-a-tune.jpg?w=217&h=298&ssl=1)
Joe Sloan plays a tune
![Passing by Mad Mama, who called out her chords as she played, Jex Nguyen strummed along. Passing by Mad Mama, who called out her chords as she played, Jex Nguyen strummed along.](https://i0.wp.com/ukulelemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Passing-by-Mad-Mama-who-called-out-her-chords-as-she-played-Jex-Nguyen-strummed-along.-.jpg?w=759&h=649&ssl=1)
Passing by Mad Mama, who called out her chords as she played, Jex Nguyen strummed along.
![Calum Grant, with son Erickson Calum Grant, with son Erickson](https://i0.wp.com/ukulelemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Calum-Grant-with-son-Erickson.jpg?w=523&h=649&ssl=1)
Calum Grant, with son Erickson