MORGANTOWN — Since 2012, the West Virginia Botanic Garden on Tyrone Road has hosted an annual garden party fundraiser.
“This event is really special. To host an outdoor dining experience in the state’s flagship garden with a festive summer atmosphere to match the blooming flowers is one of the most memorable experiences I’ve had anywhere in West Virginia” said Philip Smith, the garden’s executive director.
This year’s theme is “A Great Gatsby Garden Party” and is set for 4-7:30 p.m. Aug. 15, with a Roaring Twenties theme and atmosphere. Many attendees often choose to dress for each year’s theme, which adds to the festive character of the night.
The event’s coordinator, WVBG board member Victoria Cather, said that the garden is already getting an incredible response to the event’s return after a hiatus in 2020 due to COVID-19. “We’ve had such tremendous support from our sponsors as well as donors for the live and silent auctions. We’ll be auctioning a variety of art, products, and experiences such as a three-night stay in Savannah, Georgia, trips to the New River Gorge or Cox-Roosevelt Inn, a catered pontoon boat experience on Cheat Lake, and more.”
A “supergroup” of area chefs is teaming up. Dinner will be catered by Sargasso, Table 9, Hill & Hollow and Tutto Gelato.
“Since we couldn’t have the garden party last year, we decided to really go big with multiple chefs for this one,” Cather said. To set the Roaring Twenties mood, music will be provided by Jared Sims and The WVU Jazz Ambassadors.
“The West Virginia Legislature recognized the WVBG this year as the state’s flagship garden,” Smith said, “and while this is our biggest fundraising event to provide operating support for the nonprofit, we like to think of it as more of a summer celebration of the gifts this wonderful place provides to the community.”
Tickets are on sale for this rain-or-shine event until Friday and can be purchased at www.wvbg.org. The WVBG is at 1061 Tyrone Road.
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