Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden Hosts Gala In The Garden 2024, “Natural Wonders”
Celebrating a legacy of over 30 years as a spectacular fundraising event in South Florida, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is pleased to announce the return of Gala in the Garden, taking place on Saturday, February 3, 2024. Set amid the dazzling array of tropical flowers and the lush foliage of Fairchild Garden, the largest tropical botanic garden in the United States, it’s no wonder this breathtaking event is noted as one of the “Top Five Must Attend” galas by Miami Magazine.
Gala in the Garden is a distinguished affair that draws South Florida’s most influential philanthropists and community leaders. Its renowned reputation and limited capacity make it a sell-out event months in advance. Each year, the lakeside venue is reimagined by a team of talented artists who create glamorous décor and delicious cuisine. This black-tie formal begins Gala in the Garden Press Release 2024 with a cocktail reception and silent auction, followed by a seated dinner overlooking Pandanus Lake and dancing to a full orchestra under the stars.
This year, Fairchild celebrates the 20th anniversary of The Fairchild Challenge® with particular attention to one of its unique programs, Growing Beyond Earth®, in partnership with NASA, a science project unlike any other in the world. “Growing Beyond Earth has allowed us to have the students across the nation actively contributing to real-world research, finding solutions to challenges that exist for growing plants in space and on Earth while instilling an appreciation and understanding of the value and importance of plants, states Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden’s Director of Education, Amy Padolf.
“I find my students learn best when they have a real connection to the lesson. My students understand that NASA values and is using the data that they collect.
This takes Growing Beyond Earth to education growing beyond the classroom,” states Regina Smart, a Teacher at Westlake Senior High School in Westlake, Louisiana. “Growing Beyond Earth is important because it is citizen science at its finest. My students are able to take the science that they are learning and actually have an emotional connection and value to the work they are doing.”
Gala in the Garden: Natural Wonders is chaired by Raphael Bastian and Barbara Tria. Joyce J Burns serves as Philanthropic Chair and Swanee DiMare is Honorary Chair. This year's event will also introduce The DiMare Medal, conferred in honor of Paul and Swanee DiMare. The medal will be presented for the first time to the Honorable Daniella Levine Cava in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the community and her support of Fairchild's mission. Tickets start at $1,500 per person, and tables for 10 start at $15,000. For reservations and sponsorship opportunities, please contact Susannah Shubin, at sshubin@fairchildgarden.org