The inaugural patron party for the “Secret Gardens Tour” marked the first time the event was held in the Garden District, and honored current and past garden owners for the past nine years. Barkley Rafferty and Meghan Donelon served as Event Chairs.
Guests mingled through “The Great Outdoors” inside IberiaBank, with fresh floral arrangements by Pick A Petal on burlap and Spanish moss-covered tables throughout the space and music by Jon Roniger’s Gypsyland. Guests could also venture outside to enjoy the fresh air under a tent or dine from food trucks. The signature cocktail, entitled “Secret Garden Sip,” was a well-received twist on the Moscow Mule.
Banners with the Secret Gardens Tour logo, hand-painted by Katie Rafferty, hung throughout the venue. These same banners are used to indicate garden stops throughout the Secret Garden Tour.
Several lucky guests received door prizes such as one-hour consultations with garden designer Kyle Penny, who designed the garden for Catherine Tremaine, as well as eight flats of annual flowers and several bags of mulch.
This year’s tour featured stops at 14 gardens, including Katherine and Tony Gelderman’s garden, which featured the Secret Gardens Tour boutique, and the Roman-style garden of Cali and Frank Tessier, who will host the 2016 patron party.
Funds raised from the “Secret Gardens Tour” benefit the Brain Injury Association of Louisiana, which focuses on raising awareness and providing resources and programs for brain injury and spinal cord injury recovery.
EVENT AT A GLANCE
What: Inaugural “Secret Gardens Tour Patron Party: The Great Outdoors,” benefiting the Brain Injury Association of Louisiana
When: Thursday, March 19
Where: IberiaBank on St. Charles Avenue
