And you know what we say—preparation is the key to having a good time—and especially because it’s the first of its kind, we had some questions; and we bet you do too. So we asked, and here’s what we found out.
See you there!
Parking: Unfortunately, valet parking is only available for guests staying at the hotel. [Now you have two reasons to book a room.] Instead, attendees can battle it out for on-street parking, or, opt for a garage. The closest are the Noah Hillman garage off Main Street, Bladen Street garage, and South Street. Tip: There will be eCruisers shuttling guests from the Main Street and Bladen garages. (No need to ing your walking shoes.)
Tickets: Good news! You can still get them. With a 400-person capacity, they don’t expect to sell out early, so tickets will be available at the door for $100/person, or $175/couple.
Rundown: The event kicks off St. Patrick’s Day weekend in style with a cele ation of SustainaFest. From about 7–8 p.m. will be a mix-and-mingle cocktail hour, followed by a short program from 8–8:20 p.m. Beloved band Barleyjuice will kick off their first set for an evening of dancing, immediately following. Meanwhile, the silent auction will stay open 7–9:30 p.m., raffle prizes will be announced intermittently, and heavy hors d'oeuvres and an open bar will run all night long, from 7–11 p.m.
Open bar, we say? Would it be St. Patrick’s Day weekend without it? Absolutely not. Technically this one is limited, offering beer and wine, but it includes our liquid Irish friends Harp and Guinness. We suspect you won’t miss the cocktails.
Should you eat before you go? We think not. There won’t be a seated dinner, but the night-long heavy hors d’oeuvres will include six or seven different passed items such as filet mignon on toast, uschette, scallops and bacon, mini Reuben sandwiches, raspberry and ie beignet, mini crab cakes, and a hot potato masher bar. (You know how good we feel about potato bars…)
Setup: Better practice your cocktail hour carrying skills! This party is all about cele ating and dancing—so don’t expect many banquet tables. Instead, there will be mostly high top tables sprinkled throughout the atrium and the ballroom—cocktail party style. You’ll find the band in the atrium, and silent auction items and a photography spread—featuring profressional photos of the Chesapeake Bay, and the winners of the “Arts of the Chesapeake” photo contest—throughout.
Dresscode: This is what you really need to know, right? This is a more casual “ball” than we’re used to, and guests are invited to dress to impress, but in festive attire! Think fun, classy, and green. For ladies, you'll feel best dressed doning a cocktail dress. Gents: khakis, button ups, and/or kilts will suit the occassion fine. Ties optional, festivitiy not. Note: There will be a coatroom, but not a coatcheck so again, feel free to bundle up—you won't have to carry the coat around, but perhaps don't don your prized heirloom coat. Mix-ups happen.
Other Need-to-Knows: This event will feature a "Choose Your Own Adventure" raffle. A $50 ticket will buy you a 1 in 200 chance to win a trip for two (airfare, hotel and other perks) to the winner’s choice of Costa Rica, Whistler, BC or New Orleans. You can purchase the tickets online by clicking here, or plan to ing some cash.
From SustainaFest: SustainaFest is an organization that strives to make the practice of sustainability fun, accessible, impactful and entertaining. Through the magic of art and entertainment, SustainaFest opens your eyes, touches your heart and expands your mind, forever changing your perspective on crucial social, economic and environmental issues and your place in this world.
