for immediate release

2009 – 2010 Fundraisers

at the Chicago Botanic Garden

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

GLENCOE, Ill. (November 12, 2009)—

All Aboard – Thursday, December 3, 2009
The Woman’s Board of the Chicago Horticultural Society kicks off the season with their annual Wonderland Express holiday party. Set in and amongst the Garden’s 10,000-square-foot indoor winter exhibition of garden-scale trains, winter flora and more than 80 iconic Chicago landmarks, this evening opens the celebration of the season. Cocktails begin at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 8 p.m. Tickets begin at $375 per person. Table packages are available. All Aboard! benefits the Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Plant Conservation Science Center, which provides state-of-the-art laboratories and teaching facilities for more than 200 Ph.D. students. For tickets and more information call (847) 835-6944.

Antiques & Garden Fair Preview – Thursday, April 15, 2010
A special Antiques & Garden Fair Preview Evening offers guests the opportunity to enjoy priority shopping, exquisite flower arrangements and sumptuous buffets and refreshments. Preview hours are from 6 to 10 p.m. Tickets start at $200 per person and are available by visiting www.chicagobotanic.org/antiques or by phone at (847) 835-6944. The preview benefits the Chicago Botanic Garden’s conservation, education, and research programs.

Summer Dinner Dance – Friday, June 25, 2010
The Chicago Botanic Garden’s Esplanade – a 2.8-acre entry garden with dramatic annual gardens and elm allées, showy fountains and lakeside views – is the backdrop for the annual Summer Dinner Dance. The black-tie soirée – one of the most talked about events in Chicagoland and on the North Shore – begins at 7 p.m. with special cocktails and hors d’oeuvres in the Esplanade, followed by an intimate dinner dance in an elegant pavilion in the Rose Garden. The event is co-chaired by Caryn and King Harris, and Stephanie and John Harris, and it benefits the Chicago Botanic Garden’s conservation, education, and research programs. The Garden closes at 3 p.m. on this day. Tickets begin at $600. Call (847) 835-6944 for tickets and information.

Harvest Ball – Saturday, September 25, 2010
The Guild of the Chicago Botanic Garden presents its annual Harvest Ball on the beautiful, late summer grounds of the Chicago Botanic Garden. The black-tie affair begins with a cocktail reception and silent auction at 6 p.m., followed by dinner and a live auction that features domestic and international vacation packages. The event is co-chaired by Pim Alley and Lisa Holstein. Table packages are available. For more information, call (847) 835-6830.

All Aboard! – December 2, 2010
The Woman’s Board of the Chicago Horticultural Society kicks off the season with their annual Wonderland Express holiday party. Set in and amongst the Garden’s 10,000-square-foot indoor winter exhibition of garden-scale trains, winter flora and more than 80 iconic Chicago landmarks, this evening opens the celebration of the holiday season. Cocktails begin at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 8 p.m. Table packages are available. For more information, call (847) 835-6830.

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Editors, please note: The Chicago Botanic Garden's newsroom is online at www.chicagobotanic.org/pr. For digital images, contact Julie McCaffrey at (847) 835-8213 or at jmccaffrey@chicagobotanic.org.

The Chicago Botanic Garden, one of the 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. Through the Division of Plant Science and Conservation, Garden scientists work on plant conservation, research and environmental initiatives that have global impact. The Center for Teaching and Learning brings the wonder of nature and plants to children, teens and teachers. The Garden's Horticultural Therapy and Community Gardening programs provide nationally recognized community outreach and service programs. A program of the Chicago Botanic Garden, Windy City Harvest is an organic vegetable and plant production enterprise that provides instruction in sustainable horticulture and urban agriculture to residents of Chicago’s North Lawndale and West Side neighborhoods.

The Chicago Botanic Garden is accredited by the American Association of Museums and is a member of the American Public Gardens Association (APGA). The Chicago Botanic Garden is also host to Botanic Gardens Conservation International-U.S., and a member of the Center for Plant Conservation. 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.