JC Raulston Arboretum Gala in the Garden

 
It’s springtime in the garden. Come one, come all! Put on your whimsical garden hats ladies and gents, then enjoy the many pleasures and pure merriment that a May stroll in the garden can bring. All these amusements, plus perusing the dazzling botanical and non-botanical silent auction items, sipping on a cool drink, and sampling gourmet treats are sure to make you giddy with spring fever!
 
The Gala in the Garden is a perfect opportunity to enjoy the happiness of a spring day, while you entertain family, friends, and business associates. It is sure to be an afternoon of dreamy fun and great pleasures for the senses; a Raleigh garden party like no other!
 
Thanks to our 2011 sponsors, auction donors, and guests, the 2011 May Day Gala netted more than $85,000! The Gala is the Arboretum’s main fund-raising event of the year, and the proceeds directly support its daily operations of teaching, research, and public outreach, and garden displays.
 
Enjoy the 2011 May Day Gala all over again through these great pictures and get a small sample of the fun to take place on May 6, 2012.
 
Registration
 
Registration: $75 per person ($25 is tax-deductible)
Online registration—it’s easy, fast, and secure! Online registration is open until Thursday, April 26, 2012. After this date, you may still register until Wednesday, May 2, 12:00 PM, by calling (919) 513-0264.
 
Sponsorship
 
Sponsors are vitally important for the success of the Gala in the Garden. This is the Arboretum’s main fund-raising event of the year, and the proceeds directly support its daily operations of teaching, research, and public outreach, and garden displays. Please consider a tax-deductible contribution* to become 2012 Sponsor. The brochure describes all sponsorship levels and benefits—including a great deal with the Early Bird Special for those who respond by March 15, 2012. (March 15 is also the deadline for sponsor listing on the Gala invitation.)
 
*Note: $50 per attending guest is not considered tax-deductible by the IRS.
 
The Gala in the Garden provides a distinctive opportunity to entertain your family, friends, and business associates, while strolling around the gardens and discovering all the dazzling auction items. You can also enjoy the hospitality tent that is exclusively for Gala Sponsors and their guests. The Gala will end with a delicious dessert social and brief program in the York Auditorium at the Arboretum’s Ruby C. McSwain Education Center. Plus this year, the Gala party will include cake and NC State ice cream in celebration of NC State’s 125th Birthday. (Make sure to include the class year if you or any of your guests are NC State Alums, for special recognition.)
 
The JC Raulston Arboretum’s annual Gala has been a Raleigh garden party and a captivating experience like no other since 1991. Please join us!
 
Silent Auction
 
A very special feature of the Gala in the Garden is the extraordinary silent auction. Featuring an eclectic array of unique plants and many other distinctive non-botanical items, the retail value of the auction exceeds $40,000!
 
The auction is a wonderful opportunity to showcase your business or special talent, since more than 500 guests will spend the afternoon perusing and bidding on all these items. If you wish to donate an item or gift certificate, please complete the Auction Solicitation Form and bring it by the JCRA, or contact Anne Porter at (919) 513-3826 or anne_porter@ncsu.edu for more information. Your auction item is considered a tax-deductible “in-kind” gift.
 
If you wish to donate plants for the Gala (or the JCRA Plant Sale in April), please send us a list of the plants (coming soon) that you expect to provide by March 10. Please include the commercial value of the plants (wholesale or retail, depending on the nature of your business) so that we may credit your gift-in-kind contribution and add you to our Plant Sponsor list. The list (coming soon) may be faxed to (919) 515-5361 or e-mailed to mark_weathington@ncsu.edu.
 
Photographs
To see photographs of last year’s Gala in the Garden, please visit the JC Raulston Web site’s Photography section.
 
This event is sponsored by the North Carolina Agricultural Foundation, Inc. (Tax ID# 56-6049304).
 
Cost: $75.00 ($25.00 is tax deductible).
 
Registration: Online registration is open until Thursday, April 26, 2012. After this date, you may still register until Wednesday, May 2, 12:00 PM, by calling (919) 513-0264.
 
Location: JC Raulston Arboretum, 4415 Beryl Road, Raleigh, North Carolina.
 
Directions: Need directions? Click here.
 
Parking: Free parking is available at the JC Raulston Arboretum and along Beryl Road. Please take special note of any “No Parking” signs, as you may be ticketed if you park in those areas.
 
Questions: Please call (919) 513-3826 for more information about this event.