Lark In The Park: “Picnic with your Pod” and Help Secure the Future of City Park

Lp2012 268 CovidlogoNEW ORLEANS (press release) – Friends of City Park is pleased to announce their 2021 Lark Picnic in the Park fundraiser will be taking place in a COVID-19 safe variation on Sunday, March 14 in New Orleans City Park. The Picnic in the Park will be held on the expansive 13 acres of the New Orleans Botanical Garden. Following a hard year financially for City Park, this year’s event will raise money for the Park’s endowment and will help secure the future of the Park for generations to come. The event will honor Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser and Cher Taffaro Nungesser for their long standing support of City Park and for the Lt. Governor’s work with the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation & Tourism. Guests will enjoy safe features like exclusive access to the Botanical Garden with a personal picnic area, individual picnic baskets, and special performances by strolling entertainers.

Friends of City Park, through partnerships with community-minded organizations like Capital One, has produced Lark in the Park for 39 years. Planning of this year’s event has been reimagined with COVID-19 safety as the highest priority. Planning emphasizes small “pods,” two daytime seatings (11am and 4pm) to allow for limited attendance, social distancing in the expansive garden, and a virtual auction.

“This is a very special event for us, and we look forward to raising money for City Park, while also making patrons feel safe in doing so,” said Stephanie Bell, Executive Director of Friends of City Park. “Few experiences match an intimate and glamorous picnic in one of New Orleans’ most prized landmarks. This year’s Lark will be different, but we anticipate the community will embrace the fresh concept that our team has created. Given the community’s reliance on the Park for respite amid last year’s trials, we anticipate Lark 2021 to be especially meaningful.”

The annual event is known as the Park’s most elegant fundraiser and this year’s event, while unique from previous years, will not disappoint. Patrons will have the unique opportunity to picnic in areas like the new Chapel of the Rain and Garden of the Sun, the Japanese Garden or Outdoor Kitchen, or the many other hidden spots in the garden, taking in the over 2,000 species of plant life. They can expect their “pods” to enjoy food from top New Orleans restaurants, libations by the Goldring Family Foundation, entertainment, music and more. Picnics are not ordinarily allowed in the Botanical Garden, so this year’s “Lark Picnic in the Park” is a near once-in-a-lifetime event. Dress is daytime cocktail attire and attendees must be 21+ years old to attend.

Lark Picnic in the Park is co-chaired by Lindsey Darnell & Nolan Marshall, III, Alejandra Guzman & Barrett Cooper, Anne Teague Landis & Cuyler Boad and Emily and Matthew Sherman.

The event is hosted by a special Committee that includes

Kimberly Allen
Shon Cowan Baker
Robin Borne
Blair Broussard
Amy Caboni
Damon Carraby
Matt Diaz
Michelle Dunnick
Emily Stutes Gautreaux
Amy Goodson
Constance Gowland
Elizabeth Griffin
Henry Heaton
Ann Heslin
Lacey Holdsworth
Rebecca Bayer Jostes
Amanda White Knesal
Elizabeth Lagarde
Amy Landry
Katie McNulty
Stacey Messina
Mallory Messina
Taylor Morgan
Desiree Ontiveros
Sam Pallas
Amanda Price
Margy Rivera
Kasie Sheridan
Chenier H. Taylor
Leigh Morgan Thorpe
Kristina Vitrano
Lindsey Wands
Brittany Whitsell
WHEN:                 Sunday, March 14, 2021
11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.: Seating One
4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.: Seating Two
WHERE:             New Orleans Botanical Garden
5 Victory Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119
TICKETS:            Sponsorships and tickets for the event are now available for purchase. For more information, visit FriendsofCityPark.com

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