Chicago Botanic Garden

for immediate release

Premier Garden Party of Spring Returns

Offers Priority Shopping, Heavenly Cuisine
and Inspirational Gardens
Chicago Botanic Garden, April 15

 

Media Only:
Julie McCaffrey
(847) 835-8213, direct
jmccaffrey@chicagobotanic.org

GLENCOE, Ill. (Jan. 20, 2010)—The Antiques & Garden Fair Preview is not only the premier spring garden party on the North Shore, but also the best source in the country for a comprehensive array of styles in garden antiques. Guests have first shopping privileges in the inspirational indoor garden setting on Thursday, April 15, from 6 to 10 p.m. The Preview is co-chaired by Cathy Busch, Betsy Karp, and Alison McNally, and benefits the Chicago Botanic Garden’s conservation, education, and research programs.

Returning for its tenth year, the Antiques & Garden Fair kicks off spring at the Garden with the theme, “Great American Gardens.” Staged in the Regenstein Center with tents over the Esplanade, Rose Garden, and Courtyards, the Fair will feature not only antique dealers, but also inspirational exhibit gardens as focal points among the antique displays.

Preview partygoers will dine on a selection of sumptuous dishes as they shop for classical and contemporary garden furnishings, botanical art, and jewelry from more than 100 exhibitors from the United States and Europe. Garden "wows" will be donated and installed by premier landscape designers, including William Heffernan Landscapes in the Krehbiel Gallery, Mariani Landscape in the Esplanade Tent, Craig Bergmann Landscape Design, Inc., in the Rose Garden Tent, and Schmechtig Landscape Company in the North Marquee.

New to this year’s Fair will be four of Chicago’s most outstanding floral designers showcasing their talents: Botanicals, Inc.; Designs by Jody; Heffernan-Morgan; and Kehoe Designs.

“Each of the floral designers will transform their booth space just as they do when they create some of the area’s most exquisite private parties, weddings and benefit galas,” said Donna LaPietra, co-producer of the Antiques & Garden Fair. “We are very excited about the return of the Fair, recognized as the country’s finest. It tops any 'must-do' list for celebrating the return of spring."

Patron Ticket Levels Include:

· “Garden-ian Angel” – $5,000 for four tickets, 4:30 p.m. entry and additional benefits

· “Head Gardener” – $2,500 for four tickets, 5 p.m. entry and additional benefits

· “Gardener” – $1,000 for two tickets, 5:30 p.m. entry and additional benefits

· “Green Thumb” – $200 per person, 6 p.m. entry and additional benefits

For information on the Preview Evening, call (847) 835-6944 or visit www.chicagobotanic.org/antiques. For information on the Antiques & Garden Fair, call (847) 835-5440, or visit www.chicagobotanic.org/antiques.

The Antiques & Garden Fair is produced in conjunction with Stella Show Mgmt. Co., New York. Co-producers of the 2010 Antiques & Garden Fair are Donna LaPietra, Jane O’Neil and Susan Canmann; artistic director is Bill Heffernan; Alessandra Branca is the honorary chair of the Fair and Preview.

Northern Trust is the principal sponsor. Additional sponsors include Blackman Kallick, Manifesto! Wines, Craig Bergmann Landscape Design, Inc., Mariani Landscape, Schmechtig Landscape Company, William Heffernan Landscapes, and Lake County Press.

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Editors, please note: The Chicago Botanic Garden's newsroom is online at www.chicagobotanic.org/pr. For digital images, contact Melissa Schuler at (847) 835-6829 or at mschuler@chicagobotanic.org.

The Chicago Botanic Garden, one of the green treasures of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, is a 385-acre living plant museum featuring 24 distinct display gardens surrounded by lakes, as well as a prairie and woodlands. With events, programs and activities for all ages, the Garden is open every day of the year. Admission is free; select event fees apply. Parking is $20 per car; free for Garden members. The Garden is located at 1000 Lake Cook Road in Glencoe, Ill. Visit www.chicagobotanic.org, or call (847) 835-5440 for seasonal hours, images of the Garden and commuter transportation information.

The Chicago Botanic Garden is managed by the Chicago Horticultural Society. It opened to the public in 1972 and is home to the Joseph Regenstein, Jr. School of the Chicago Botanic Garden, offering a broad array of adult classes in plant science, landscape design and gardening arts. Nearly 200 Garden scientists work on plant conservation, research and environmental initiatives that have local, regional and global impact. The Center for Teaching and Learning brings the wonder of nature and plants to children, teens and teachers with hundreds of summer camp, family and teacher training programs. The Garden's Horticultural Therapy and Community Gardening programs provide nationally recognized community outreach and service programs. The Garden is also breaking new ground in urban horticulture and jobs training through its Windy City Harvest program, which offers a certificate in Sustainable Horticulture and Urban Agriculture in cooperation with City Colleges of Chicago. The Chicago Botanic Garden is accredited by the American Association of Museums and is a member of the American Public Gardens Association (APGA). In 2006, the Chicago Botanic Garden received the Award for Garden Excellence, given yearly by the APGA and Horticulture magazine to a public garden that exemplifies the highest standards of horticultural practices and has shown a commitment to supporting and demonstrating best gardening practices.