Fairchild’s Gala in the Garden 2011
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden hosted Gala in the Garden 2011, A Renaissance Garden. Chairmen for this year’s black-tie fundraiser were Swanee DiMare and Frances Sevilla-Sacasa. Penny Stamps and Joyce Burns served as Philanthropic Chairmen.
Fairchild’s Gala in the Garden is South Florida’s must-attend social event. As always, a who’s who of guests participated in the annual event. “Fairchild’s Gala in the Garden is my favorite event of the year. Fairchild is the most beautiful location for a black-tie event and the Gala supports the important work of the institution, Miami’s truly “green” organization,” says Co-Chairman Swanee DiMare of the event and referring to Fairchild’s critical work in tropical plant conservation.
This year’s Gala in the Garden welcomed 450 guests and began with cocktails and a highlight of the evening, the silent auction, in the Jean duPont Shehan Visitor Center. Some of the auction items included a private catered dinner by Le Basque as well as the popular, “Bring Fairchild to Home” package which includes a truckload of mulch as well as horticultural expertise and advice for the winner’s own garden. Guests then proceeded to a large pavilion near Pandanus Lake for dining and dancing to the music of the Steve Chase Orchestra.
Le Basque once again catered the event and Karla Conceptual Productions created the innovative décor for the evening. Gala guests not only enjoyed a spectacular evening in stunning tropical landscape but they also be supporting the vital conservation work of Fairchild.
Guests included: Trish & Dan Bell, Joyce & Tony Burns, Brenda Nestor Castellano and Robert Castellano, Swanee and Paul DiMare, Nancy and Jon Batchelor, Kirk Landon and Pamela Garisson, Bunny Bastian, Barbara and Jose Hevia, Evelyn & Bruce Greer, Carl & Susanne Lewis, Lin Lougheed, Mary Jean & Lou Risi, Frances & Eugenio Sevilla-Secasa, Penny & Roe Stamps, Barbara & Vinnie Tria, Angela Whitman, Virginia & Willard Wheeler, Margaret and Lewis Eidson, Nannette Zapata.
